The Bears on Monday released veteran left tackle Charles Leno Jr.
Selected by the Bears in the seventh round of the 2014 draft out of Boise State, Leno appeared in 102 games with 94 starts in seven seasons.
The 6-3, 307-pounder was named to the Pro Bowl in 2018 after the Bears won the NFC North title with a 12-4 record.
Since being promoted to the No. 1 offense in Week 4 of his second season in 2015, Leno did not miss a game, starting 93 straight contests.
Leno's release comes after the Bears chose tackles with two of their first three picks in the draft, Oklahoma State's Teven Jenkins in the second round and Missouri's Larry Borom in the fifth round.
Leno acknowledged his release on social media, writing on his Instagram and Twitter accounts: "My time in Chicago has officially come to an end. It's a bittersweet day but I am excited to see where this next chapter takes me. Thanks for the memories Chicago."
In a second post, Leno wrote: "I will always be rooting for the young guys to succeed in the league. That was me years ago. This is just part of the business. Thanks Bears fans."
With Leno's release, punter Pat O'Donnell becomes the longest tenured player on the Bears roster—and the only one acquired before Ryan Pace became general manager in 2015. O'Donnell was chosen in the sixth round of the 2014 draft out of Miami.
