The Chicago Bears are in the midst of installing a new offense. Luke Getsy hopes to establish a variation of the Mike Shanahan offense that started in the 1990s. One built around outside-zone running. The plan will be to work the scheme to the strengths of Justin Fields at quarterback. However, anybody that knows the system understands the offensive line is key to its execution. As of right now, nobody can say what the Bears have planned there. That is why Teven Jenkins may hold the key.
Only two spots seem locked in thus far, with Cody Whitehair at left guard and new arrival Lucas Patrick at center. That leaves right guard and both tackle positions undetermined. Most experts agree Jenkins will be a starter. GM Ryan Poles has said he likes the former 2nd round pick. What nobody knows for sure is where the second-year blocker will play. Some think he’ll stay at left tackle, where the previous regime felt he fit best, while others claim the team will move him back to his original right tackle spot.
Either decision could offer an idea of what comes after.
If Jenkins stays at left tackle, this might indicate the Bears plan to go with a rookie draft pick on the right side. It is easier to find right tackles than left tackles outside the 1st round. Conversely, if Jenkins shifts back to the right side, it would hint the team is planning to seek a veteran at left tackle. There are some notable options still available, like Eric Fisher, Duane Brown, and Riley Reiff. Signing one of them would enable the Bears to focus on finding a right guard in the draft, postponing the left tackle search until 2023.
Thus far, the team hasn’t offered any hints on which way they’ll go. They also haven’t signed another offensive lineman since Patrick arrived a couple of weeks ago. Unless that changes soon, the real answers won’t come until the draft.
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Teven Jenkins remains an unknown at left tackle.
His first game at the position after returning from back surgery was rough. Green Bay beat him for two sacks and seven pressures on Justin Fields. He also had seven penalties through the first two weeks back. However, his performance after the first was promising. He allowed no sacks and just four pressures on the quarterback in 76 pass blocking snaps through the end of the year. Whether that is enough to convince new offensive line coach Chris Morgan he should stay there is uncertain.
Such a decision would at least give the Bears clarity on the left side of their offensive line. Teven Jenkins and Whitehair would continue working together while Patrick settles in at center. That would leave trying to figure out a favorable combination on the right side. Despite rumblings that Poles isn’t a big fan, Larry Borom is still a possibility at tackle.
Things remain fluid.
The next three weeks will be educational. Fields should have a good idea of his protection by the end of this month. No doubt he hopes Jenkins continues to build on the promise he showed as a rookie no matter which side he ends up on.
