According to reports that surfaced yesterday, the Chicago Bears have held trade talks involving offensive tackle Teven Jenkins per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The #Bears have received calls and have held trade talks centered around OT Teven Jenkins, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo. The former 2nd round pick has drawn interest based on his potential. A situation to watch.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 1, 2022
This isn’t much of a surprise as Jenkins is yet to practice in training camp and the new regime seems to be phasing him out altogether. There have been rumors floating around that his work ethic isn’t up to par, attitude issues, or even another injury has popped up. We likely won’t know the full details unless he is indeed traded so with that being said, here are three trades that would make sense if the Bears were to part ways with the former second-round pick.
Teven Jenkins for Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson
This right here is the only trade I’d truly be interested in the Bears exploring. Diontae Johnson is currently in a “hold in” with the Steelers similar to what the Bears are currently dealing with regarding linebacker Roquan Smith.
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Like Smith, Johnson is looking for a long-term deal. The market value for Johnson is somewhere around 4 years, $86M and rightfully so. Last season Diontae hauled in 107 receptions for 1,167 yards and 8 touchdowns which led to his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2021. Going into his fourth season at 26 years old, Johnson is entering his prime and the Bears seem like a great landing spot if Pittsburgh is willing to negotiate.
The Steelers currently have a very good WR room along with a few question marks with their offensive line. I highly doubt the Bears would be able to snag Johnson for Jenkins straight up so here is what I’d offer Pittsburgh.
Teven Jenkins, a 2nd, and 5th round pick for Diontae Johnson. I’d say Jenkins value is around a 4th to 5th round pick at the moment given his potential but there is still a lot of risk for the Steelers. Throwing in those two picks would be a fair offer. The new Bears receiving room would then look like this:
- Diontae Johnson
- Darnell Mooney
- Byron Pringle
- Velus Jones Jr.
- N’Keal Harry
- Dazz Newsome
- Equanimeous St. Brown
If the relationship cannot be repaired, this again is the route I hope the Bears take.
Teven Jenkins To The Atlanta Falcons For A 4th Round Pick
The Ryan Pace connection makes Atlanta an obvious trade partner as Pace traded up to draft Jenkins in 2021. If the Bears do end up trading Teven there is no way they’d get the same value back given the start to Jenkins short NFL career thus far. This is why I’d hope the new regime does everything in their power to get as much out of him as possible because there still is a lot of untapped potential. But if all else fails perhaps try and fleece Ryan Pace. You never know might get a 2nd out of him.
Teven Jenkins To The Los Angeles Chargers For A 4th Round Pick
Another team that could take a flyer on Jenkins are the Chargers. Poles already has trade history with LA from the Khalil Mack deal earlier this off-season. A couple other teams that might be in the picture would be the Washington Commanders (the Juan Castillo connection) and the Tennessee Titans who could benefit on taking a chance on Jenkins upside.
should the bears trade teven jenkins?
— dave (@runbackdave) August 1, 2022
This is asinine. Bears aren’t “a piece” away. Burning that much draft capital to land a player who will essentially make no difference is bad logic. You never lettered.
No to Johnson. Yes to a 5th round pick. As soon as preseason games get underway and a few guys get banged up he will be on the move.
Another toothless click-bait story based on media speculation and without merit. First, R Poles is not giving away draft capital for over-hyped players or facilitating a T Jenkins trade. He may end up trading Jenkins straight up for draft capital, but I truly laugh at the imaginary vision of the media trades we are seeing in print, including yours’ Dave.
Why on earth would we trade any future draft capital for a WR whose first two seasons were inferior to Mooney’s? At best, he would be #2 in Chicago. Since Pringle has significantly better yards per reception and percent of targets caught than Johnson, the Bears might only get a #3 out of the proposed trade.
This situation has been badly mishandled, going back to drafting him at all. Right now, the Bears should simply take whatever the best offer is, even if it is only a 7th. It is very clear that the coaches do not want to work with Jenkins, or think they can’t. But the team should watch carefully to see whether Jenkins fails or excels elsewhere. If he fails, then the coaches who didn’t want him should be given incentives to stay with the Bears long term. Good judgement should be valued. But if Jenkins goes elsewhere and turns into a great… Read more »