The 2017 season will no longer be a "prove it" year for Bears offensive tackle Charles Leno Jr.
The Bears announced on Wednesday they have signed Leno to a four-year contract extension that will keep him in Chicago through the 2021 season.
Leno's extension is expected to be worth $38 million with $21.5 million guaranteed, according to the Chicago Tribune. His average annual value of $9.5 million would tie him with Detroit Lions right tackle Ricky Wagner as the NFL's 15th highest paid offensive tackle (in terms of AAV).
Leno will become the second offensive lineman that Bears GM Ryan Pace has extended in the the past 12 months. The Bears signed Kyle Long to a four-year, $40 million contract extension just days before the 2016 season opener.
Leno, who was selected by the Bears in the 7th round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Bosie State, has started 29 straight games at left tackle after taking over for Jermon Bushrod in Week 4 of the 2015 season.
The Bears now have all five of their starting offensive lineman locked in for the next two years (Josh Sitton and Bobby Massie's contract's expire following the 2018 season).