The Chicago Bears have reached their bye week at an opportune time. While being 3-6 isn’t what they hand in mind, the break does offer them a chance to get healthy. Khalil Mack is still recovering from a foot issue. Allen Robinson (hamstring) and Akiem Hicks (ankle) had issues pop up against Pittsburgh as well. Perhaps the biggest story though is the looming return of 2nd round pick Teven Jenkins, their young offensive tackle
It was unfortunate that he didn’t get a chance to play this year. A back injury popped up almost immediately and eventually forced him to have surgery. From there the hope was rehab would go well enough to where he might return by the end of November or beginning of December. Based on recent indications? He is right on schedule, having been seen stretching prior to the Steelers game. This is good news. What people aren’t sure about is where he will fit in when he returns.
Back in August, the plan seems relatively clear.
With the exit of Charles Leno Jr., the Bears decided to shift Jenkins to left tackle. A position they felt he could play despite playing on the right side most of his college career. It would make sense to keep him there when he returns, right? Not according to Tom Thayer. The Bears color analyst made it clear on the Mully & Haugh show for 670 The Score that plans have changed. The ascent of Larry Borom as a legitimate prospect at left tackle should tell the Bears their best course of action is getting Jenkins back where he belongs on the right side.
Thayer hasn’t tried to hide his admiration for Borom. He sang the rookie 5th round pick’s praises during training camp, believing he has a legitimate future as an NFL left tackle. The numbers don’t lie. Thus far he has logged 92 pass blocking snaps this season. In that time, he has allowed just two pressures on the quarterback. Not bad considering he’s had to switch from left tackle back to right tackle due to health issues on the offensive line.
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Teven Jenkins would no doubt be more comfortable at right tackle
He played there almost exclusively in college and was a dominant force. The muscle memory is there. If the Bears want to get him up to speed as quickly as possible, then shifting him there makes perfect sense. The problem is Borom has that job locked down for now. He is playing well and the last thing the Bears would want to do is mess with the offensive line’s cohesion.
Now if the team continues to lose and are totally out of the playoff picture by next month? Perhaps they start the youth movement. Shift Borom to left tackle to replace Jason Peters and plug Teven Jenkins in on the right side. Then see how things go. If they play reasonably well? The Bears will have some significant answers about their priorities on offense going into the offseason.
It is crazy to think about.
Borom already looks like a starting NFL tackle and Jenkins is more talented than he is. If he comes back strong from the back issue, the Bears will have scored both their starting tackles of the future in one draft. That just doesn’t happen.
