The Puzzling Situation Surrounding Teven Jenkins' Contract Extension
Does There Exist a Chicago Bears Fan Who Doesn't Adore Teven Jenkins?
He stands out as one of the most beloved offensive linemen ever to don a Bears uniform. While legends like Kyle Long, Olin Kreutz, and James "Big Cat" Williams have graced the team, Jenkins has garnered a level of popularity that rivals these great players.
Jenkins' journey in Chicago over three years has been quite the rollercoaster. His rookie season was marred by a debilitating back injury that sidelined him for the majority of the year. His second season, under the new leadership of Ryan Poles, began with a stint in the doghouse and a position switch to guard. Initially left off the starting lineup, he eventually earned his place and solidified his position.
In the most recent season, Jenkins truly came into his own. Despite missing the first four games due to a calf injury, he became a dominant force in run-blocking and, while not without inconsistency, proved to be a reliable pass blocker.
However, aside from his first-year back injury, Jenkins has missed nine games over the last two seasons. This poses a challenging dilemma for Ryan Poles. Should he extend a player who, when healthy, ranks among the top ten guards in the NFL? Or does he risk losing a highly talented player due to the NFL's emphasis on availability?
The decision will hinge on Jenkins' contract demands. If he seeks a substantial guarantee, Poles may find it hard to justify. It's likely that any extension involving Jenkins would allow for an easy exit after two seasons. Therefore, on a four-year deal, guaranteeing more than approximately two years would be a non-starter.
Jenkins' camp may push for guaranteed dollars due to the perceived injury risk that he carries.
Ryan Poles could opt to delay any extension discussions until after the current season, as any extension would be added after the 2024 season. Guaranteeing two years of a contract in essence gives Jenkins a three-year guaranteed deal. This might be a tough pill for the Bears to swallow in 2026, especially if Jenkins hasn't played in 2024.
However, waiting a year also carries risks for the Bears. Consider Jaylon Johnson's situation, where he sought an extension before the season but negotiations with Poles remained far apart. Even at the trade deadline, they couldn't bridge the gap, and now Johnson faces the prospect of a franchise tag or a higher-priced extension, possibly $5 million more per year than he would have received in August.
If Jenkins enters the 2024 season and plays exceptionally well while staying healthy, his contract demands could skyrocket. While this is a good problem to have, it could be avoided by taking a chance on an extension during the offseason.
Regarding the franchise tag, offensive linemen are typically lumped together, making it rare to tag a guard. A franchise tag for Jenkins in 2025 would exceed $22 million per season, more than the highest-paid guard in the NFL, Chris Lindstrom of the Atlanta Falcons ($20.5 million AAV).
A potential starting point for negotiations with Jenkins could be around $16 million per year. Assuming a four-year deal, a straightforward extension akin to the Green Bay Packers' Elgton Jenkins might be feasible. Elgton Jenkins received a four-year deal worth $68 million.
The Bears would need to decide if they are comfortable guaranteeing Jenkins $35 million or if they prefer a lower guarantee with a more flexible exit option. Jenkins' willingness to agree to such terms is also a significant factor.
Ultimately, it's a captivating question with no clear answer at this stage. So far, Ryan Poles has given multi-year extensions to Cairo Santos and Cole Kmet, both players from the Ryan Pace era. Jaylon Johnson appears to be next in line. Will Teven Jenkins be the fourth?
A prediction? Jenkins is unlikely to receive an extension before the start of the 2024 season. If he performs well and stays healthy, an extension could come in November 2024. However, if his performance falters or injuries persist, Poles may make the tough choice to let him enter free agency after the season.
| POLL | ||
5 FEVRIER | 71 ANSWERS The Puzzling Situation Surrounding Teven Jenkins' Contract Extension Is Teven Jenkins going to be extended? | ||
| yes | 51 | 71.8 % |
| No | 20 | 28.2 % |
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