The Chicago Bears have problems along the offensive line. Nowhere is that clearer than the interior. Nate Davis has been benched for most of the past two weeks as health and inconsistency continue plaguing him. Coleman Shelton looks overmatched too often at center. The one person the Bears thought they could count on was Teven Jenkins at left guard. Yet even he hasn’t played anywhere close to the level he showcased last year. He’s allowed six pressures and two sacks in just over three games and is now once again dealing with an injury.
Consistency and staying healthy were always Jenkins’ problems. With his size, athleticism, and power, he has undoubtedly lots of ability. Unfortunately, multiple injuries have kept him out of several games since being drafted in 2021. That is why the Bears refused to engage him in contract extension talks during the off-season. They wanted to see how things played out through the first half of the season. Based on Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, it doesn’t sound like Jenkins has swayed them.
Barring a complete turnaround for Nate Davis, it’s likely the Bears will part ways with him after the season, a move that will put the team in need of a starting guard…
…Davis is signed through the 2025 season but guaranteed money in the deal is up at the end of this year and it’s easy to speculate which direction this is headed for him. What Poles and the Bears cannot afford is to be swayed into a contract they aren’t totally comfortable with for Teven Jenkins to avoid heading into the offseason potentially needing two starting guards.
In other words, the Bears cannot misevaluate or overvalue Jenkins with the idea they would be better off needing to replace only one starting guard…
…My thought is if the Bears were not ready to pay Jenkins before the start of this season, there hasn’t been enough on film through the first month to move them in that direction as soon as the bye arrives.
Teven Jenkins isn’t out of time, but it’s dwindling fast.
Though dealing with bruised ribs, there is a hope he can recover in time to play against the Carolina Panthers next Sunday. That would mean he won’t miss a game. This is crucial given his recent track record. The hard part is finding a way to improve his overall play. His pass protection has been spotty at best. Yet the more alarm part is how much worse his run blocking has become. His 60.2 grade this year is the lowest of his career and far below the 71.7 he had last season.
The Bears have 13 games left. As the calendar shifts to November and December, several of them will be against some really good teams. Teven Jenkins has to bring his best for that stretch. Otherwise, the team will have its answer on whether he can be part of their long-term picture. Davis is already gone—everybody knows that. The lingering question is whether Jenkins can avoid the same fate. It sounds like he hasn’t done that. The clock is working against him now.
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