NEWSLETTER
Following Teven Jenkins’ saga has been fascinating.
Once seen as a first-round lock, the Bears traded up to take Jenkins in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and would proceed to move him to left tackle during the offseason training program. A year later, Jenkins has been demoted twice (once from left tackle to right tackle, then again to second-string duties) before moving into a totally new position at right guard. It’s been one plot twist after another for a player who went from on the outs to in the starting lineup.
And while Jenkins appears to have found a home with the first stringers, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport believes the Bears could trade the lineman:
“Teven Jenkins from the Chicago Bears has been the subject of trade calls for a little less than a month now,” Rapoport says in the video above. “I know the Chicago Bears, from my understanding, have engaged, have not come up with a deal just yet. Also moved him to guard and sounds like he was somewhat impressive there, so I’m not so sure they cut him. But a trade, from my understanding, certainly possible here.”
Oof. Don’t get me wrong. I’m open to all sorts of transactions that will help build out this Bears roster. But I’m not sure this would be the smartest move. Jenkins is arguably their most talented offensive lineman. And while Jenkins still has some kinks to iron out as he works at a new position, it feels like he is finally comfortable with his role on the team. It’s not as if anyone is beating down the door to push him out of a starting spot. I’m not sure selling low on Jenkins’ player stock makes sense.
But to entertain the idea … Maybe the Bears feel comfortable with Sam Mustipher at center, which will slide Lucas Patrick to right guard when healthy. If that’s the case, then showcasing Jenkins at a new position to trade him is a heady move. But part of me thinks that this is overthinking it. And that’s the last thing the Bears should be doing.
We’ll continue to monitor this situation. Because even though a trade seems unlikely, that we’ve had big-foot NFL insiders such as Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter declaring a Jenkins trade as a real possibility has our attention.
