The Chicago Bears’ offensive line is a mess. Despite their ongoing success running the ball, it’s clear they have significant weaknesses in pass protection. That was on display again in Week 4 against the New York Giants. Justin Fields was sacked six times. Center Sam Mustipher and guard Lucas Patrick were the primary culprits, allowing 11 combined pressures and two sacks by themselves. It is hard to find any bright spots in such misery. That is unless people take time to watch Teven Jenkins.
After everything the former 2nd round pick went through this off-season, from getting to demoted to rampant trade rumors, his switch to guard seems to have resurrected his career. That was on display in New York. While everybody else struggled with consistency, Jenkins rarely made mistakes. He allowed zero pressures in 29 pass-blocking snaps and was a big help in their surprisingly successful screen game.
Jenkins has logged 58 total pass blocks this season. He’s allowed two pressures on the quarterback. Total. Not only that, but he’s also their third-highest-rated run blocker, according to Pro Football Focus. Don’t forget he had never played the position outside of one or two snaps in college. It makes the Bears’ ongoing rotation between him and Patrick even more mind-boggling.
Teven Jenkins will finally get his chance moving forward.
The Bears have hesitated to make him the full-time starter for whatever reason. Now they don’t have a choice. Cody Whitehair left Sunday’s game with a knee injury. It looks like he could miss significant time. That will force them to move Patrick over to left guard. Jenkins should become the permanent right guard as a result. It will allow him to truly settle in alongside Larry Borom and Sam Mustipher. No more rotations. Whatever logic the Bears operated by with that approach wasn’t working anyway.
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A better question is whether the coaches might shift Patrick to center where they had initially planned. It’s not like Mustipher is doing anything to warrant keeping the job. If this is about putting the best five players on the field, Teven Jenkins should’ve been playing every snap from the beginning. His talent is so obvious, as is his growth. Chicago needs building blocks for that line. They may finally have one.
I became a Jenkins fan last season when he got a personal foul for protecting Field after a questionable sideline hit.
He was bashed by a veteran lineman and Nagy after the game.
The veteran and Nagy put everything wrong with the Bears front and center that day.
Hit my QB and I am coming after you, that nasty streak, that mean streak is a tradition for the Monsters of the Midway and it has been missing for too long.
I really would not mind seeing Borom moved to guard and patrick at C. Reiff is just sitting around doing nothing. He’s a serviceable RT. TJ might make the probowl if they give him all the snaps at RG.
Jenkins is a mauler. He will only get better over time in his new position at guard. But I’m surprised that Patrick played so poorly Sunday in New York.
I think the rotaion was more of a “get the guy coming back from injury reps until he can snap the ball” rather than a knock on Jenkins. Plus by rotating they gave him a nice slow measured start to grow into a position he has never played. And this strategy seems to have worked.
TEVIN JENKINS is looking more and more like LARRY ALLEN! yeah I think hes THAT good!Larry was drafted in the 2nd rnd 46th and TEVIN was drafted in the 2nd rnd 39th.They say LARRY was the strongest man to ever play the game.Im hoping TEVIN envisions being the best ever!