Chicago Bears: Jenkins Embracing Another Positional Change

Chicago Bears offensive lineman Teven Jenkins has moved to another position once again. This time he is embracing the change and looking forward to having his best season yet.

Well, today is the day. The Chicago Bears report to camp. Pretty much for the rest of the year and into February of 2024, we will have all football, all the time.

The Bears underwent a lot of changes this offseason. After a 3-14 season in 2022, general manager Ryan Poles wanted to make sure things were completely different this season. He infused a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, also adding depth in a lot of positions.

One of the players who knows a lot about change is left guard Teven Jenkins. Just typing “left guard” is a change.

The Bears drafted Jenkins in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He was originally a left tackle. He replaced longtime starter Charles Leno right away. The Bears cut Leno and handed the job to Jenkins with no competition.

The Bears wished they had some competition. In the middle of training camp, he had a back injury that needed surgery. He missed most of the season and did not return until Week 12 in December.

Jenkins tried to work his way back before the end of the season. He had his ups and downs but wanted to build on the experience.

Jenkins had high hopes for 2022. He came in expecting to return as the left tackle. However, fifth-round draft pick Braxton Jones came out of nowhere and blew everyone away. He played so well that the coaching staff moved Jenkins over to right tackle.

At right tackle, Jenkins might have been sulking. He struggled and Larry Borom took over.

Now the Bears had to decide what to do with Jenkins. He was down on himself and there were rumors that he took it out on the coaches. Apparently, there were reports about Chicago entertaining trade offers for him.

Jenkins gets a chance at another position

Then a funny thing happened. Lucas Patrick, who was signed to be the center, injured the thumb on his snapping hand. Sam Mustipher, who was penciled in at right guard, moved back to the center spot he previously had. The Bears decided to try Jenkins at guard.

At right guard, Jenkins looked more comfortable. He moved better and was better able to use his strength. He thought he found his home.

Patrick healed enough to play another position but center. The Bears ended up having him and Jenkins share the position. Neither Jenkins nor Patrick liked that.

Then Patrick finally got his start at center. Jenkins then had the right guard spot for himself. He took advantage of his opportunity and received some praise for his performance.

Again, Jenkins felt he had his position and he’d get a chance to repeat that position. Again, however, plans did not work out the way Jenkins thought.

Another season, another change

At the start of the free agency period this offseason, Poles signed guard Nate Davis. Davis is a right guard. With his big contract, he wouldn’t be the one to move. That meant Jenkins will now play his third position in his third season.

This time, though, Jenkins embraced the change. There was no pouting and he worked hard in the offseason. He enjoyed playing on the left side as a tackle so now he is back on that side.

As long as I got a job, I’m going to be happy. There wasn’t reason to feel any sort of way about it. I’ve played the left side before. I just took it and ran with it, basically. This is just another chance for me to show that I can be versatile at another position…I don’t ever want to be the person to say, ‘Yeah, I have a spot.’ I don’t want to do that because I always want to stay hungry and feel like I still have to chase my job even if I have it secure

Jenkins worked hard this offseason so he could remain healthy. In addition to the back injury, a hip and a neck injury kept him out of games. He wants to stay on the field all season so he could be an elite lineman.

Jenkins had a very good season in 2022. According to Pro Football Focus, he scored an 80.7 offensive score. His run-blocking was 82.2 and his pass-blocking was 65.9.

Jenkins wants to show he can get better. Pro Football Focus feels he can be, naming him to their All-Breakout Team for 2023. Let’s see if that happens. If it does, the Chicago Bears could surprise a lot of people.