The Chicago Bears shocked many people when they benched Teven Jenkins last summer. Many felt the former 2nd round pick was their best offensive lineman. Eventually, the coaching staff shifted him from tackle to guard, and he became their starting right guard when the season kicked off. All things considered, he played well above expectations. Outside of Braxton Jones, he was their best run-blocker and made good strides in pass protection. Still, the warning signs remain that this regime led by Ryan Poles doesn’t think highly of Jenkins.
More evidence arrived when the team signed Nate Davis as a free agent. Davis spent his entire career as a right guard in Tennessee. That meant Jenkins would have to switch positions if they wanted to keep him there. Yet it may not end there. Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog stated Jenkins is not in the team’s long-term plans. There is even a chance that if the Bears secure a guard solution in the draft that they like, it might convince them to unload the third-year blocker to another team.
“No one can convince me this current regime has any faith in the long-term viability of Teven Jenkins on this roster. Skoronski, pairing with Nate Davis, would give the Bears a pair of maulers on the inside, and the pick would give the Bears options with Jenkins.”
Teven Jenkins’ durability is the critical factor.
The young man has missed 15 games with various injuries between his first two seasons. The best ability is availability, as they say in the business. As capable as Jenkins can be on the field, he has a hard time staying there. Then you look at Braxton Jones, who started every game as a rookie. Davis has also had good durability throughout his career. Poles understands the vital component of good offensive line play is stability. The longer the same five blockers work together, the better they play.
It’s hard to do that when one of them is always hurt. As of right now, Teven Jenkins remains the projected starting left guard for the Bears. That has less to do with him having earned and more with the fact they have nobody better. It makes the first two or three rounds of the upcoming draft must-see television. If Poles takes an interior blocker at any point during that stretch, it will be a clear indication they plan to move on.
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