Over this week, Washington Wire is counting down the top five Washington Football Team performers for the 2021 season.
No. 3 Charles Leno (OT)
Playing a very physical position, (left offensive tackle) and yet one that requires more mobility than guard or center, Leno not only performed well, but also demonstrated tremendous durability and dependability.
Signed by Washington to a one-year deal following being released in May by Chicago, Leno not only started all 17 games; even more, Leno played 100% of all Washington offensive snaps in 16 of the 17 regular season games! In only the week 14, 27-20 loss to Dallas, did Leno not play each offensive snap, but even in that game, Leno was present 91% of the snaps.
Playing some 1,121 snaps, Leno not only impressed coaches with his performance but he also was penalized only twice all season with one holding and one false-start penalty. By way of comparison lauding Leno’s 2021 season, Brandon Scherff played in 11 games, played on 697 offensive snaps and was penalized five times (2 holding, 3 false-starts).
Leno incredibly has not missed a start since 2015, will turn 31 during the 2022 season, and proved to be a nice find for Washington, after being released by Chicago.
PFF graded the Washington offensive line as sixth among all NFL teams. Leno was graded at 81.1. The only Washington lineman graded higher was center Chase Roullier (84.6) who was able to only play 8 games (490 snaps) due to a broken leg against Denver on week 8.
Charles Leno and John Bates
Leno blocks 2 defenders, combos the DT before moving up and blocking the LB
Bates blocks out the DE
These 2 blocks create an “inside and outside Seale/ a clear running lane” for JD Mckissic! #WashingtonFootball pic.twitter.com/YVTVL9cIiF
— The Podfather (@TheBurgundyZone) November 22, 2021
Leno was rewarded for his fine 2021 season with a three-year, $37.5 million extension, which included a $9M signing bonus and $17 million guaranteed.
The 2022 cap hit for Leno will be $8.5M. It will increase in 2023 to $12.5M and his 2024 cap hit will surge to $14.5M.