4 extremely early cut candidates for the Commanders in 2024
By Dean Jones
Charles Leno Jr. – Commanders OT
- Cap saving – $12 million
For all the positive moves made by the Washington Commanders to strengthen their offensive line this offseason, they still need to figure out a long-term plan at left tackle. Acquiring one during the draft is a possibility, but the coaching staff might be content to see what Charles Leno Jr. can do with better options around him.
Leno is a supreme leader of men with the personality to match. He did give up eight sacks and conceded four penalties from 1,189 snaps on offense last season, but the player was undeniably the best lineman Washington had and the only one that displayed any sort of consistency throughout the campaign.
Having this veteran presence on the blindside will be invaluable to Sam Howell if he wins the starting quarterback job as expected. Whether Leno is the No. 1 option this season or not is irrelevant – this could be his final season with the Commanders when factoring everything into the equation.
The former seventh-round pick out of Boise State will be 33 years old when the 2024 season begins. Leno is also counting $14.25 million against the cap with a $12 million saving if he’s cut loose ahead of time.
Leno is a hard guy to root against. But at the end of the day, the NFL is a business above all else.
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