Teven Jenkins is entering his fourth season with the Bears in 2024. He was drafted in the second round in 2021. In 2024, Jenkins will earn a base salary of $1.8M and have a cap hit of $2.6M making him the 45th highest-paid player at his position.
Being on a rookie deal has given the Bears significant flexibility, but they now need to decide on Jenkins future. However, due to his injuries, negotiations may be challenging. Jenkins has missed 9 games over the past two years, playing in 25 out of 34 games. As the saying goes, “the best ability is availability.”
In an interview with 670 The Score, Jenkins provided a somewhat concerning update regarding his potential contract extension.
“What I got from my agent, we had to wait until after the draft, is all I know...We’re going to try to reach out to them here soon, but right now, we’re playing the waiting game.”
Teven Jenkins wants to stay in Chicago.
The market for offensive guards has surged this offseason, with top players signing significant contracts. Here are some of the major deals:
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Robert Hunt: 5 years, $100 million
Landon Dickerson: 4 years, $84 million
Damien Lewis: 4 years, $53 million
Jonah Jackson: 3 years, $51 million
Kevin Dotson: 3 years, $48 million
The big question is where Jenkins sees himself in this market. As we’ve seen with Bears GM Ryan Poles, once they set a number, they stick to it. Just ask Jaylon Johnson and Roquan Smith.
If I were the Bears, I would aim for a 3-year deal worth $45 million to $55 million for Jenkins. Does he deserve this kind of money? I think he does. In 2023, Jenkins allowed the fewest pressures among the Bears starting five offensive linemen by a clear margin. Over the past two seasons, he ranked in the Top 15 in offensive grades among players at his position, including third in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus.
Jenkins has expressed his desire to stay with the Bears long-term, saying, “I want to be a Bear for a long time,” during his interview with 670 The Score.
I believe the Bears can make this happen in a way that benefits both sides. Will the Bears make Jenkins play more in 2024 before negotiating his contract again? Or are they satisfied and content with his performance/injuries over the past three seasons? It will be interesting to see how this unfolds as the Bears offseason progresses.
@Sallie
We’ll see that your demands are entered into this equation. Anything else?
Truly “ALARMING!!!”
Tevin will be resigned for 4 years at 75-80 million. He is the best OL player on the roster and is as good as the two here, perhaps even better if allowed to play at the more natural RG spot. The simple fact is when healthy he is dominant force and while he has had injuries, the relation of switching pos and sides plays into that significantly. R Poles has not brought in anyone capable of taking his spot or even competing with him for the starting role and Tevin can also plat the T position if necessary, giving him… Read more »
1) This is not alarming. While Jenkins is a very good player, he’s been hurt a lot. 2) I think it’s a no-brainer to offer him a contract that is heavily laden with incentives. Suppose he plays 17 games in a season, how much should he get paid? Target that as his incentive level. Maybe offer 3 years 24 million, plus $200k for every game played, and $600k for every game started. That would put him at 6 mil a year if he played zero games, and 16.2 mil a year if he started 17 games. Seems reasonable, and if… Read more »
This should have been expected.
Jenkins has been injured a lot. I think some of that is on the team, for moving him so often, and not just Jenkins. But when it comes to getting paid you know Poles will factor it in regardless.
Just as important, Jenkins is not a Poles draft pick or guy he chose in free agency. With a few exceptions, this has been the kiss of death for the vast majority of non-Poles guys.
I hope the Bears do resign Jenkins, but I’d guess it’s less than a 50/50 shot.