Bears OL Teven Jenkins?

[Username]

I see Teven Jenkins is a FA.

I liked him coming out of college, a nasty, aggressive dude who played both tackle spots and on the interior. I'm not sure how he's been as a pro, or even what position he settled at, but worth kicking the tires?

 

[Wozzy]

I see Teven Jenkins is a FA.

I liked him coming out of college, a nasty, aggressive dude who played both tackle spots and on the interior. I'm not sure how he's been as a pro, or even what position he settled at, but worth kicking the tires?

Love the player but he’s a guard, not really a big need.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I see Teven Jenkins is a FA.

I liked him coming out of college, a nasty, aggressive dude who played both tackle spots and on the interior. I'm not sure how he's been as a pro, or even what position he settled at, but worth kicking the tires?

The Bears OL was atrocious, and they must believe he was part of that problem or they would have made an effort to keep him.

 

[Triumph]

The Bears OL was atrocious, and they must believe he was part of that problem or they would have made an effort to keep him.

Somehow the Bears OL was better than the Pats, but Chicago gave it all they had to be the worst.

They were horrid when Tribisky was QB.

 

[Ross12]

The Bears OL was atrocious, and they must believe he was part of that problem or they would have made an effort to keep him.

They definitely had issues but it was multifaceted. Part of it was the fact that Caleb Williams ran around too much and ran into pressure (big surprise, not like he did the same thing in college...). The other factor is that they may have figured Jenkins will command a multi-year deal to re-sign and they'd rather flip a pick for Thuney who will be an upgrade for less overall cash at his age.

Looking him up a bit, it seems like he was probably the best piece on their line overall. The big reason he's hitting the market is because he is not very durable, which is obviously a concern. However, I can kind of see some sense in signing him to be a left guard, and figuring that even if he misses a little time, you also have Cole Strange, who is equally spotty from a durability standpoint - but between the two of them, you'll probably always have a solid left guard available.

 

[Brotherblues]

Love the player but he’s a guard, not really a big need.

If he's very good he needs to be considered. Gotta spend the money on good players somewhere. If there's a truly good center or LG available they gotta get after that opportunity.

In a perfect world there is a stud LT and a stud at every position of need. In reality we gotta look at how the actually available players can improve our team. If a guy is maybe a top 10 LG then go get him and kick Strange inside to C. Talk to Andrews behind the scenes to see if he prefers to compete or retire or a release.

 

[Ross12]

If he's very good he needs to be considered. Gotta spend the money on good players somewhere. If there's a truly good center or LG available they gotta get after that opportunity.

In a perfect world there is a stud LT and a stud at every position of need. In reality we gotta look at how the actually available players can improve our team. If a guy is maybe a top 10 LG then go get him and kick Strange inside to C. Talk to Andrews behind the scenes to see if he prefers to compete or retire or a release.

Yep. Obviously the best solution is to sign and draft good players at your neediest positions. But there won’t always be good players at those spots. However, if you sign and draft good players in general, being good in many places will raise the floor of your roster and mask your deficiencies. You might have a middling LT but if the entire rest of your OL is solid then it’s not a crippling weakness, and Maye can be aware to be more mindful of that side instead of having to worry that every snap will become a fire drill. You can keep the tight end in tight to help against an elite rusher on that side, or have the back chip, etc. You might have average WRs but if your athletic QB is protected then he eventually finds an open guy or scrambles for a few yards.

 

[dliverey44]

I would feel much more comfortable going into the season with Jenkins over Olayden, Sow or strange. I also think strange might be in play as our Center. Just my opinion but I think the LG is a significant need, last year was painful watching out LT and LG not be able to pick up stunts and twists. Coaching might help a lot but I still think better players are needed and if we can get one at any positioin we should.

I know PFF is crap but he was one of a handful of guys that graded out over 70 in run and pass blocking. That would be a huge improvement.

 

[Ross12]

A good comparison I like to draw is the Broncos. Bo Nix is not as good as Drake Maye and he has a more limited arm. They also don’t have spectacular receivers either. However, they have excellent pass protection which allowed Nix to make his reads effectively and play efficient football. If you can pass protect Maye decently well then he will produce even with average receivers.

Jenkins is a solid guard who also has left/right flexibility and can play a little tackle. He’s not a bad pickup. There’s also other solid guards and centers on the market. IOL is a smart place to go shopping.

 

[dliverey44]

A good comparison I like to draw is the Broncos. Bo Nix is not as good as Drake Maye and he has a more limited arm. They also don’t have spectacular receivers either. However, they have excellent pass protection which allowed Nix to make his reads effectively and play efficient football. If you can pass protect Maye decently well then he will produce even with average receivers.

Jenkins is a solid guard who also has left/right flexibility and can play a little tackle. He’s not a bad pickup. There’s also other solid guards and centers on the market. IOL is a smart place to go shopping.

Its funny you brought up the Broncos, they are the team I used on Reddit to explain my wanting Jenkins. Also the help in the run game. Thomas brown should be able to give em the scoop on Jenkins.

 

[Ross12]

Its funny you brought up the Broncos, they are the team I used on Reddit to explain my wanting Jenkins. Also the help in the run game. Thomas brown should be able to give em the scoop on Jenkins.

Makes sense - and tie it into Vrabel who may want to reignite the run game in order to take pressure off the pass game. Jenkins makes a lot of sense from that perspective. Onwenu is obviously great in the run game. I think they’ll look to upgrade at center, which would also help the run game.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I’d be interested. The problem with our interior OL is that for all the names we have with varying degrees of ability/potential… there’s not a single player you can confidently project as a 2026 week 1 starter IMO.

Andrews and Strange are FAs. Andrew’s might be cut this year anyway. Onwenu’s deal is set that he’s a cut candidate next year because the cash/cap is just absurd for the caliber of player he’s been at guard (never realized his pro bowl potential yet). Sow, Robinson, JAndrews have all had maybe some moments but on the overall, they’ve been shirty NFL player.

New scheme and coaching staff so maybe some of those guys do better going forward. But interior OL is one of the few positions where it seems streams will let quality young options get to free agency so with so much money to burn and so many homes to fill, it might make sense to add there just on the value of it.

Personally, I’m a fan of signing Jenkins for LG and Bekton for RG. Lock in two young talents that can solidify those spots long term. Thank DAndrews for his time at center but tell him it’s time to move on and play Strange at center. Make Onwenu the stop gap RT - it’s not best for him individually but the stop gap options are meh and it accommodates a long term answer at RG in Bekton. Robinson/Sow/JAndrews can all be backups.

Also sign Dan Moore as a stop gap at LT. Between him not being that good and Onwenu not being a legit RT, still a need but not crippling to the point you can’t play real offense. Basically any draft pick over the next few years where you can justify taking an OT take one until you sort it out.

 

[50-yard-line]

If he's very good he needs to be considered. Gotta spend the money on good players somewhere. If there's a truly good center or LG available they gotta get after that opportunity.

Joe Thuney says hi.

 

[Ross12]

I’d be interested. The problem with our interior OL is that for all the names we have with varying degrees of ability/potential… there’s not a single player you can confidently project as a 2026 week 1 starter IMO.

Andrews and Strange are FAs. Andrew’s might be cut this year anyway. Onwenu’s deal is set that he’s a cut candidate next year because the cash/cap is just absurd for the caliber of player he’s been at guard (never realized his pro bowl potential yet). Sow, Robinson, JAndrews have all had maybe some moments but on the overall, they’ve been shirty NFL player.

New scheme and coaching staff so maybe some of those guys do better going forward. But interior OL is one of the few positions where it seems streams will let quality young options get to free agency so with so much money to burn and so many homes to fill, it might make sense to add there just on the value of it.

Personally, I’m a fan of signing Jenkins for LG and Bekton for RG. Lock in two young talents that can solidify those spots long term. Thank DAndrews for his time at center but tell him it’s time to move on and play Strange at center. Make Onwenu the stop gap RT - it’s not best for him individually but the stop gap options are meh and it accommodates a long term answer at RG in Bekton. Robinson/Sow/JAndrews can all be backups.

Also sign Dan Moore as a stop gap at LT. Between him not being that good and Onwenu not being a legit RT, still a need but not crippling to the point you can’t play real offense. Basically any draft pick over the next few years where you can justify taking an OT take one until you sort it out.

This isn’t a bad plan. Becton is also probably flexible to right tackle if you find that’s a better setup for you. Jenkins at LG, Moore at LT is perfectly fine. I’d even suggest signing a new starting center and making Strange the top backup C/G for the final year of his deal, although that means you’re signing four new starting OL to deals which might be slightly irresponsible. It may ultimately be wiser to pencil in Strange as the starting C but also draft one in the middle rounds to replace him in 2026.