Chicago Bears' Charles Leno Jr. signs $38M extension

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bears have signed left tackle Charles Leno Jr. to a four-year contract extension.

Chicago announced the signing on Wednesday.

A source told NFL Network that Leno's deal is for $38 million. Leno, 25, joined the Bears as a seventh round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He started 16 games last season. Leno is now under contract through 2021. Leno started once his rookie season and started 13 games in 2015.

He was originally due $1.79 million this season as part of the final year of his rookie contract. His new pact includes $21.5 million in guarantees. Leno is now the 14th highest-paid left tackle in the NFL, based on annual average, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The Bears have had a commitment to its offensive line in the last two offseasons. In September, the franchise gave Kyle Long a four-year, $40 million extension. Long is penciled in at left guard this season. Josh Sitton is expected to start at right guard. Cody Whitehair is expected to begin the season at center and Bobby Massie will come in at right tackle.

Leno, a Boise State product, is listed at 6-foot-4, 303 pounds.

Chicago signed free agent linebacker Kelvin Sheppard last week.