The Chicago Bears offense has been quite the revelation in 2018. Granted it hasn’t always been perfect, but people need to remember last year for context. The good, old run-run-pass methodology that defenses literally laughed at for 16 games. Matt Nagy was hired to bring this organization out of the stone age and into the light of the 21st century. This he has done with more success than many expected.
Chicago is 9th in the NFL in scoring and 10th in total offense. The last time they ranked that high was five years ago in 2013. Coincidentally that was also the last time they avoided a losing record. So many good players have helped to make this possible.
Tarik Cohen is blossoming into a versatile nightmare. Taylor Gabriel is a legitimate threat beyond just the deep ball. Jordan Howard can still wear you out over the course of a game. Trey Burton is a true weapon at tight end, not just a gadget guy. Allen Robinson is rediscovering his status as a top receiver.
Then there’s Mitch Trubisky who’s gone from a disappointing draft pick in the eyes of many to an ascending quarterback on course to break multiple Bears single-season passing records. Yet all of those guys aren’t even close to being the highest-rated offensive players in the eyes of Pro Football Focus. The winner for that honor is perhaps the most overlooked name on the entire offensive roster.
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Charles Leno Jr. has improved as a pass blocker in each of the past three seasons pic.twitter.com/dMUtMi0LsP
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 6, 2018
2. Tarik Cohen bluffs Jets LB Avery Williamson into thinking he's in pass protection, goading Williamson into continuing his blitz instead of following Cohen's route. Also: Charles Leno blocks up LB Darron Lee well in a bluff of sorts, too. pic.twitter.com/s3zwodMybF
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) October 30, 2018
Charles Leno Jr. has become the Liev Schreiber of the Chicago Bears offense
Essentially a lot of people forget he exists at times by like Schreiber, when you’re reminded who he is, you suddenly remember he’s actually pretty good. That is Leno in a nutshell. Through seven games, the left tackle holds the highest rating from PFF at 80.8. That’s 5.7 points ahead of the next many on the list in Burton at 75.1.
Has he really been that good though? Yes. Leno isn’t elite like some tackles in the league, but there’s no doubt he’s become one of the better blockers at his position. So far this year he’s given up just 11 total pressures on Trubisky including two sacks. Even more impressive? In 489 snaps this season, he has yet to commit a single penalty. This after committing 13 a year ago.
People should understand how unique his situation is too. Since 1970, a total of 119 offensive tackles were taken in the 7th round of an NFL draft. Just 14 of them managed to become a starter for at least four seasons. Leno is in that rare company. Unless something changes, he’ll become just the 10th to make it five seasons next year.
He may not be a star, but he’s been arguably one of the best draft gems the Bears have uncovered in the past decade.
