Teven Jenkins had another frustrating night when it came to penalties. A holding call on the first series of the game. A couple of false starts and last but not least a personal foul for violently shoving a Vikings player. That last one was costly, but nobody seems upset about it 24 hours later. There is a good reason for this. The moment came when Jenkins came to the defense of Justin Fields who’d just been hit late by Minnesota defensive end D.J. Wonnum while heading out of bounds. The rookie tackle wasn’t having any of that.
He confronted Wonnum after the play. It was then fellow Minnesota defensive end Sheldon Richardson came in and took a swing at Jenkins who understandably retaliated in kind. They were quickly separated but it was too late.
The young tackle received a flag for unnecessary roughness.
While an unfortunate setback for the offense, it was the wider implications that people actually loved about that moment. Too often this season it has seemed like the Bears offensive line is way too passive. Too soft. Especially when it comes to defending their quarterback. Fields has taken a number of dirty hits this year but his guys have rarely if ever come to his defense. Jenkins wasn’t having that. Fans loved it, and so did a number of former Bears including Alex Brown and Lance Briggs on the NBC Sports Chicago Football Aftershow.
Olin Kreutz, the Bears’ former six-time Pro Bowl center has said for a long time this team lacks that fire and nastiness up front. Somebody who isn’t afraid to mix it up whenever the other team tries to get cute with the quarterbacks. Or anybody else on the offense for that matter. If you do that, expect a fight. That is why Kreutz himself became so beloved in Chicago. The same went for Kyle Long during his time with the team.
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Teven Jenkins should absolutely never lose that mentality
The well-being of his quarterback should always be his #1 priority. It’s only a shame more of the Bears offensive linemen don’t share that mentality. The fact Germain Ifedi was in the kid’s face after the play says a lot. Whenever most of them bother to get angry, they direct it at the wrong people. This is why most of that line group probably needs to be replaced. Too much of it plays the game with a passive mentality.
Despite his early rookie mistakes, Teven Jenkins is a breath of fresh air. He’s not only a talented blocker but he’s also a fighter. He is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to protect his quarterback. To defend his teammate. The penalties can be cleaned up but the next coaching staff has to make sure he never loses that mentality.
If anything, they must seek out more guys like him.
Opposing defenders have accused the Bears offensive line of not being physical enough for years. As far back as 2018. They play too soft and can too easily get pushed around at times. Jenkins might be the first crucial step in solving that problem. Both during and after the play.
