Washington inks Charles Leno to deserved extension amid sublime 2021-22

The Washington Football Team’s 2021 free agency class has been a colossal disappointment. There’s no other way to slice it.

Curtis Samuel, who signed for $34.5 million over three years, including $23 million guaranteed, has played less than 85 offensive snaps and has just six catches for 27 yards entering the final week of the regular season.

Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t even make it through the first half of his first game in the Burgundy and Gold before suffering a season-ending hip subluxation.

William Jackson, who inked a three-year, $40.5 million contract ($26 million guaranteed) in the offseason, has rebounded after a poor start, but he still has a lot to prove before fans can call his signing a success.

While Adam Humphries, DeAndre Carter and Tyler Larsen have been pleasant surprises, the clear standout of the group has been Charles Leno.

It appears Washington’s braintrust would agree. On Wednesday, reports confirmed the club reached out to Leno’s camp about a new deal.

By Wednesday night, an agreement had been reached in the form of a three year, $37.5 million contract extension

The Washington Football Team has signed standout LT Charles Leno to a three-year extension.

Fully-deserved for Leno, who’s become a fan favorite playing on a one-year, $4 million contract due to his on-field production and charming personality. He’s the kind of guy you want around for the long haul, and Washington’s deserves tremendous credit for getting it done before the end of the season.

Besides the quarterback position, left tackle was up next in the pecking order in terms of positions Washington must address in the offseason.

Washington could’ve easily deferred to the 2022 draft class, which is rich of readymade prospects. The fact they were aggressive in retaining a proven commodity and leader like Leno tells us the front office knows what it’s doing.

Based on his contract and absurd consistency, Leno’s been one of the biggest bargains from the 2021 free agent cycle. In fact, the eight-year pro is the team’s highest-graded offensive lineman, per Pro Football Focus.

That includes impending free agent Brandon Scherff, who was named a Pro Bowler for the fifth-straight year this season. Given all the top-flight left tackles in today’s NFL, Leno never stood a chance at receiving enough votes.

However, the fan base knows how sublime he’s been protecting Taylor Heinicke’s blindside. The 30-year-old currently owns a 86.5 pass-blocking grade from PFF, the third-best of any tackle in the league. That mark is superior to stars like Trent Williams, Terron Armstead, Lane Johnson and Tristan Wirfs.

Leno has started every game this season, allowing six sacks and 32 pressures on 614 pass-blocking snaps. Again, pretty stout numbers and a fully deserved pay day for one of the most likable players in the NFL.

Don’t sleep on what this move could do for Washington’s market in general, too. If I was a veteran quarterback, I’d feel a lot better joining a team that has a bookend left tackle with virtually zero durability concerns on the roster.

Amazingly enough, this wasn’t the only big news of the night.

Shortly after Leno’s news broke, ESPN’s John Keim reported there could be more moves on the horizon. Per Keim, Washington is interested in retaining free agents Bobby McCain and JD McKissic.

Keep those notifications nearby, folks. Much like Leno’s surprising deal (at least in terms of the timing of it), it feels like negotiations could move quickly with McCain and McKissic, assuming there’s mutual interest.

What a start to the offseason for Washington, which, with the club eliminated from playoff contention, is suddenly right around the corner.