The Chicago Bears are going to have two new starting tackles in 2021. After releasing right tackle Bobby Massie earlier this offseason, Chicago is parting ways with left tackle Charles Leno, according to Ian Rapoport.
The move comes as a result of the Bears’ dire salary cap constraints, where they had just over $400,000 in cap space heading into the 2021 NFL draft. With seven new draft picks and undrafted rookie free agents to sign, we all knew a move was coming. It was just a surprise that it was Leno.
Leno’s release, which will be designed as a post-June 1 cut, will free up $9 million in cap space for Chicago.
Naturally, Twitter had plenty to say about Leno’s release, and it was a little all over the place. For the most part, fans didn’t like the move given that it puts a lot of pressure on your rookie tackle, who’s making the move from right tackle to left tackle. Then there were some that believe the move had to happen due to salary cap constraints.