The Chicago Bears‘ offensive line is a mess. They’ve allowed 23 sacks on Justin Fields through six games. Not all of that is their fault, but the fact is they haven’t done nearly a good enough job protecting their quarterback. It is clear that GM Ryan Poles may overhaul that group extensively next off-season. Three or four current starters might be gone. It isn’t all doom and gloom, though. One thing is becoming apparent. The Bears appear to have a genuine building block in Teven Jenkins.
Barely two months ago, the former 2nd round pick looked like a lost cause. He’d missed most of 2021 with a back injury. Then he got demoted before training camp even began in the summer. There were rampant rumors he’d be traded. Then Matt Eberflus and the coaches decided to change their approach. They moved Jenkins to guard. Six games into the season, he is now unquestionably their best offensive lineman. Not only is he their second-highest-rated run blocker (behind the injured Cody Whitehair), but he’s also only allowed six pressures on the quarterback in 132 snaps. No hits and no sacks.
Again, he didn’t start playing guard full-time until late August.
Tevin Jenkins with a solid 10 yards of movement here 👀 #DaBears pic.twitter.com/yHe9mAsqRA
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 15, 2022
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The effort and athleticism on this TE screen by Teven Jenkins is great. Hopefully this is the game that finally convinces this regime he's the guy #Bears pic.twitter.com/vTIrBxIJZ5
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) October 15, 2022
Teven Jenkins looking for work in pass protection. Love it pic.twitter.com/xku35JipSk
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) October 14, 2022
Jenkins is exactly what this Chicago Bears regime is looking for.
He’s big, strong, athletic for his size, and he plays with an effort and intensity that stands out on every play. The guy is nasty and loves to drive defenders into the turf whenever given a chance. Nothing stops until the whistle. That is precisely what GM Ryan Poles has preached since he arrived. If the Bears can get four more guys like Jenkins in the next couple of years, that offensive line will be one nobody wants to play against.
It probably isn’t a coincidence that he’s their highest-drafted offensive lineman since Kyle Long in 2013. Part of building a successful front is investing the necessary resources into it. Jenkins is the first step in the right direction. The biggest fear is Fields might crumble under the onslaught before the Chicago Bears can bring in reinforcements. Still, it’s nice to know they have at least one potential stud to work with moving forward.
