The release of leaders starting with LT Charles Leno Jr. freed up $7.3 million in cap space

Washington’s leaders are making a lot of important changes this offseason. It’s their first full season under the new ownership group led by Josh Harris, and they’ve already made changes in the front office (hiring Adam Peters as general manager) and in the head coach (Dan Quinn).

They are expected to make a change at quarterback in either free agency or the draft (most likely the latter) as well as other positions. On Friday, the team released left tackle Charles Leno Jr. Leno was suffering from a thigh injury, and will undergo surgery next week. According to ESPN. The team also released veteran tight end Logan Thomas.

Leno spent the past three years in Washington, where he started 47 of a possible 51 games on the left side of the offensive line. He signed with the Commanders after spending the first seven years of his career with the Chicago Bears, six of them as a starter.

Leno, a former seventh-round pick, signed a three-year, $37 million extension with Washington in 2021 after signing a one-year, $4 million contract the year before. It was scheduled to count $15.53 million against the Leaders’ books for the 2024 season, but depending on whether it is set for a post-June 1 release or not, it would save the Leaders $7.3 million (pre-June 1) or $11.8 million. (After June 1).

The Commanders already have the third-most cap space in the NFL, according to Over the Cap, with more than $78.5 million under the line. The move would move them past the Bears and put them right behind the Patriots for the most games played in the league this season.

With a new quarterback expected to be on the roster next season, the Leaders could shop in free agency, try to acquire a veteran player via trade or use another of their early picks on a player they consider the future. Blind side protector of any quarterback they land on.