Teven Jenkins has spent his entire life playing the offensive line. It’s all he knows. The job is simple in his eyes. Manhandle the defender in front of you, stop at the whistle, wait for the next snap, and then repeat. After three years starting at Oklahoma State, he got really good at it. So much that he seemed to take every bad rep personal and would pay it back ten-fold on the next snap.
The 6’6 giant is not a guy who enjoys being shown up. That would explain his nasty demeanor in almost every block he throws. Just how serious is he about his job? While talking to the Bears media following his selection in the 2nd round, one comment he made painted a clear picture of his mentality. When it comes to protecting his quarterback? There is nothing he won’t do. No matter how underhanded.
“The No. 1 thing I’ve always learned is, you keep your quarterback clean & you always keep him upright, no matter what you have to do. Be dirty, hold, do what you gotta do. If anybody hits my quarterback after the play, that’s my problem, not his.”
That sounds like somebody opposing teams will learn to hate.
The fact he openly admits that should tell Chicago fans all they need to know about Jenkins. This guy is dead serious about his job. He understands Justin Fields is setting up to be the franchise for this organization. It will be his mission to keep that guy upright. If he has to cheat from time to time in order to accomplish that goal? Then so be it. As the late, great Al Davis used to say. “Cheating is encouraged.”
Jenkins’ job isn’t to abide by the rules or be an upstanding citizen. It’s to get guys blocked. By any means necessary. He did it consistently well at Oklahoma State. Now he’ll get that chance in Chicago. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he ends up starting immediately at right tackle. If he plays the way he did in college, then he is going to anchor that offensive line for a long time.
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Teven Jenkins may actually see action before Fields
As of right now, the Bears seem committed to giving Andy Dalton what was promised. A chance to be the starter in 2021. The idea is to bring Fields along slowly, letting him absorb the playbook and the speed of the NFL from the safety of the sidelines. Can the same be said for the right tackle job? Chicago did sign Germain Ifedi to turn for just over $4 million. One would think he’s the current favorite to start again at right tackle.
How long that lasts depends on if they open the door for competition. If so, expect Teven Jenkins to walk right through it. This doesn’t seem like the sort of player who is going to let anybody keep him off the field. Too much talent and too much fire. The Bears will want to get him out there as quickly as possible. Then by the time Fields is ready, their hopeful right tackle of the future is battle-tested as secure.
As for what happens next?
The Bears still have work left to do. Though their trade up to get Jenkins ended their Day 2, they still have four picks remaining on Day 3 including one high in the 5th round. There may yet be an opportunity to secure another contributor for this season. Don’t forget they found Darnell Mooney in that range just last year. The fun isn’t over yet.