When discussing the Chicago Bears offensive line, it’s a mixed bag. There have been some good things. Namely, how they’ve helped block for the #1 rushing attack in the NFL. However, there are also some bad things, like their shoddy pass protection. The big question going into the final stretch is determining who will be around next season and who will likely get replaced. Based on recent assessments, it’s a foregone conclusion Teven Jenkins is staying. The former 2nd round pick may not have worked out at tackle, but he’s carving out an impressive role since shifting to right guard. One person who has taken notice is Olin Kreutz.
The longtime Bears great is no stranger to offensive line play. He’s the best they’ve employed in the past 30 years by a wide margin. His standards are high whenever he evaluates new faces that join his beloved team. When Jenkins arrived in 2021, Kreutz was intrigued. He saw the potential the kid brought as an athlete. However, he wasn’t yet sure how he’d fit in with the Bears. After watching Jenkins develop over the past three months, he expressed how high expectations should be on the Making Monsters podcast.
“When you watch him play, guys, he flashes. Does a guy flash Pro Bowl potential? And he definitely flashes Pro Bowl potential. He has a lot of snap in his body, a lot of natural snap. He’s a really good athlete. He’s got a tremendous amount of power and for a guy who’s just learning how to play the right guard spot, he has been pretty damn impressive.”
Olin Kreutz doesn’t offer praise that high often.
He’ll give guys credit for their work and their ability at times. To openly say Jenkins has a chance to be in Pro Bowls not too long from now is saying something. Experts elsewhere seem to agree. Pro Football Focus already has him as one of the highest-graded run-blocking guards in the league. He’s also only allowed five pressures in his last five games. So his pass protection has improved too. There is still work to do. That is hardly a surprise. He never played guard in college and was switched right before the regular season began. Next summer will be the first true off-season he’s gotten to work at the position.
The goal for Chicago should be surrounding him with help. They can do much better than Sam Mustipher and Larry Borom as their center and right tackle options. Playing in a good group is part of getting noticed as an offensive lineman. Then again, Olin Kreutz was rarely surrounded by other great blockers in his career. He still made six Pro Bowls. If Jenkins keeps working hard and doing his job, the notoriety will come. That will be especially true if Justin Fields becomes a top quarterback, as many hope.
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Orlando Pace was washed up when he got to the Bears and practically didn’t do a thing here(only played 11 games and didn’t perform very well anyway). Kyle Long was a 3x Pro Bowler and 2nd Team AP. Hell, even Leno was a pro bowler in 2018. Just the facts. Orlando Browns Jr wants top LT money for a glorified RT. Why haven’t the Chiefs locked him down with a multi-year deal if he’s that good after giving up the capital they did for him? E. Jenkins > Brown Jr.!!!
In a perfect world, Leatherwood takes the next four games to nail down the RT spot. Then we move Borom to LG. He is a mauler and good in the run game. He’s an OK but not great pass protector who might do much better at G. I would love to see him get a chance there and Whitehair, despite having been our best O-lineman, is not all that good. If that worked out we would only need to find a real C and a swing OT.
Wow. Just wow. Kreutz was a great center, don’t get me wrong. But the best the Bears have employed in the last 30 seasons? By a wide margin? I’m not a math expert but I recall an employee of the Bears named Orlando Pace. I guess they just let scrubs into the hall of fame. Yes, he was at the end of his career but damn, he was employed by the Bears. Wow Erik.
Jenkins is a long time starter for long long time. Mustipher if he never plays another down for Bears would be awesome. Boron is your backup swing . Whitehair still good. Rookie left tackle promising. Use FA money to get stud and 3 rd round pick to add on
Really enjoy watching him play. Bears have had some great OLmen over the years – and this guy looks like he’s going to be one of them. Great film clip…..can’t peel this stupid grin off my face. Think I’ll go watch it again…..