Leno earns four- year extension
Charles Leno wanted to stay with the Bears, and the feeling was mutual.
The four- year contract extension he signed Wednesday — worth $ 21.5 million guaranteed and $ 38 million overall, sources said — ensures that.
“Honestly, it was just like, ‘ Why not?’ ” the left tackle said. “I feel like I want to be here for a long time. Why not take it now? There’s no point in risking anything.”
Leno, a seventh- round pick from Boise State in 2014, was entering the final year of his rookie contract. He was the only Bear to play every offensive snap last season. He has started 29 games in the last two seasons.
“I look at guys on the other side of the ball like Leonard Floyd and Nick [ Kwiatkoski] and guys on our side of the ball,” he said. “The offensive line, Cody Whitehair, Jordan Howard, Tarik [ Cohen]. The future’s very bright. And I’m very excited with the decision I made.”
Coach John Fox said Leno “earned every penny.”
The Bears are still talking with defensive end Akiem Hicks, who is entering the final year of his contract, about getting an extension done before the start of the season.
Peyton visits
Retired quarterback Peyton Manning, who played for Fox with the Broncos, visited practice. Afterward, he met with Mitch Trubisky on the field and talked about how the Bears’ offense was similar to his old one.
“He was just giving me some pointers, things I could do moving forward, how this is a great offense to be in and how I’ve got some good coaches to help me out,” Trubisky said.
Manning visited Northwestern on Tuesday.
“We have a good relationship, a long relationship just because we’ve both been in the league for a long time,” Fox said.
Surgery for Carey
Running back Ka’Deem Carey will miss at least the next six weeks after having wrist surgery Tuesday.
“It was bothering him in the game this past week,” Fox said.
Carey, entering the final year of his contract, had 10 carries for 38 yards this preseason.
This and that
Guard Kyle Long did not have a setback in his return from ankle surgery, Fox said. “Just know that it’s a serious injury and [ he’s] done well with it and coming back from it,” Fox said.
Running back Jeremy Langford ( ankle), corner- back Prince Amukamara ( hamstring), wide receiver Josh Bellamy ( ankle), Hicks ( sore Achilles’ tendon) and Kwiatkoski ( concussion) all returned to practice, Fox said.
Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee was working with medical staff, Fox said. McPhee, who had arthroscopic left knee surgery on the second day of training camp, is still on the physically unable- toperform list.
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