What Does the Future Hold for Teven Jenkins?
Ryan Pace's final draft for the Chicago Bears delivered two promising prospects: quarterback Justin Fields and offensive tackle Teven Jenkins. While Fields rapidly became the fan favorite, Jenkins remains an intriguing puzzle piece in the offensive setup. Initially chosen as the future left tackle, a title emphasized by Pace's release of the reliable Charles Leno Jr., Jenkins sat out the initial 11 games of his debut season due to a post-offseason back surgery.
The beginning of his 2022 season wasn't smooth either, with experts including Peggy Kusinski and Adam Schefter hinting at the Bears possibly trading the young tackle. But, shifting to right guard, Jenkins shined, recording an impressive 576 snaps and securing a notable 80.7 PFF score, placing him third among all guards. Yet, the injury curse lingered, sidelining him for four games due to a neck injury.
March saw the Bears bring in Nate Davis, pushing Jenkins to adapt to the left guard position. Now, as we approach the 2023 season, rumors from Halas Hall suggest Jenkins has encountered double strained calf injuries, potentially sidelining him for six weeks.
To put things in perspective, Jenkins might be absent for 17 of his first 36 possible matches. Given this trend, is it premature to perceive Jenkins as a bonus rather than a staple in the team's future offensive line blueprint?
Evidence might suggest that Ryan Poles is thinking ahead. The continuous shuffling of Jenkins' position in response to newer acquisitions indicates a lack of foundational commitment. The drafting of Braxton Jones as a left tackle nudged Jenkins to right guard. Then, the signing of Nate Davis this offseason pushed Jenkins back to left guard. Would the Bears invest so heavily if Jenkins was their cornerstone?
During a recent practice, the Bears adjusted their lineup, with Cody Whitehair returning to left guard and Lucas Patrick stepping in as the center.
Given Ja'Tyre Carter's impressive preseason performance, it wouldn't be surprising to see him earning significant playtime, especially at left guard, during the upcoming preseason game against the Bills.
| POLL | ||
23 AOUT | 36 ANSWERS What Does the Future Hold for Teven Jenkins? Will Teven Jenkins make the Pro Bowl? | ||
| Yes | 15 | 41.7 % |
| No | 21 | 58.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
