The Chicago Bears have refused to offer anything concrete regarding their offensive line plans for 2023. They’ve said for months that they intend to get the five best blockers on the field when the dust settles. Going into the off-season, most fans and media assumed at least two members of last year’s front would be safe. One was left tackle Braxton Jones and the other was right guard Teven Jenkins. Both had played well under difficult circumstances and have considerable upside to explore.
Those assumptions unexpectedly turned when the Bears signed Nate Davis as a free agent in March. Davis has played his entire career at right guard. One would expect that is where the team plans to put him. This creates an issue since Jenkins was projected to start there again. Now people aren’t sure what to expect. Are the Bears moving him to the left side? Will they try him at right tackle? Could they trade him? Those questions were finally put to rest when the man clarified his future.
Teven Jenkins’ versatility is already proving valuable.
He played left tackle in 2021 as a rookie and didn’t look bad. Then last year, he excelled at right guard. That is probably why the Bears coaching staff felt comfortable moving him to left guard. He has the athleticism and work ethic to make the transition. It also carries the added benefit of putting him next to Jones. The two men were Chicago’s best run blockers last season. It would make sense to pair them together, giving the offense a side of the ball they can run behind with consistent success.
The lingering question is what the team will do with Cody Whitehair. He started at left guard last season. Most assume he’s returning to center where he’ll compete with Lucas Patrick for the job. That would leave right tackle as the only unresolved spot. Expectations are that will come in the draft. One hopes this change doesn’t hinder Teven Jenkins’ progress. Then again, he is under careful observation this year. Due to injuries, Jenkins has yet to play an entire season in the NFL. Bears brass probably wants to see if he can stay healthy before committing to him long-term.
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It is an important year for the former 2nd round pick.
