Teven Jenkins moving to right guard was never foreseen when the 2022 season began. Everybody thought he’d be a fixture at tackle for them. Then he was demoted before training camp even started. There was a period of time when many thought he’d get traded. Offensive line coach Chris Morgan decided to try something else. He moved Jenkins inside, feeling guard would put less pressure on his lateral mobility while accenting his power and nastiness. The move paid off in a huge way.
Jenkins morphed into the best blocker on the Bears’ entire offensive line. He’s allowed only nine pressures on the quarterback this season and is their highest-rated run blocker. People need to understand how impressive that is. Changing positions is hard in the NFL. It almost always takes an adjustment period. Jenkins made it virtually seamless. Yet it gets even crazier. He revealed to the Bears media on Friday that the hip injury that sidelined him last week is something that began nagging him before Week 1. This means he’s been playing at a high level for half the season without being 100%.
“I’d say it’s a win for me because it’s my first time being at this position, and I wouldn’t want to jinx it right now, but I’m playing really good. Hopefully, I can keep it up for the rest of the season. I want to give credit to my coaches and Michael Schofield, he has been helping me out a lot, and Sam Mustipher as well.”
Teven Jenkins is precisely what the Bears have missed.
They needed somebody tough. A guy that isn’t afraid to be mean and loves setting the tone by burying defenders at every opportunity. He was sorely missed last week against Detroit. So to see him practice in full on Friday was a welcome sign. He hopes to play, and head coach Matt Eberflus hinted that things are trending that way. With that, the Bears offensive line will be one step closer to finally having all their original starters in place. Cody Whitehair recently returned from a knee injury. If his toe has healed, Lucas Patrick should come off Injured Reserve next week.
Maybe this will finally get Justin Fields the protection he’s needed for months. Either way, it’s becoming clear that Teven Jenkins is a foundational piece the Bears can move forward with. He has Pro Bowl potential at guard for this team. The big obstacle is whether he can stay healthy. After dealing with a back injury that sidelined him for most of 2021, now it’s a persistent hip issue. The talent is undeniable. He has to prove whether he can withstand the rigors of an NFL schedule.
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