NEWSLETTER
During his Monday radio hit with 670 The Score, the Tribune’s Brad Biggs shared his belief that the Chicago Bears are ready to move on from starting left guard Teven Jenkins.
It has long been believed that the Bears will have a new-look offensive line in 2025. And while the team could create competition among returning players, it sure seems like one current starter is on his way out the door.
Here is what Biggs had to say via 670 The Score:
"I don't believe they will be inclined to attempt to re-sign Teven Jenkins," @BradBiggs says of the Bears as they need to overhaul their offensive line this offseason.
Listen to Biggs' full interview: https://t.co/QvT6Tts2VW pic.twitter.com/qfEmpmLZJB— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) December 23, 2024
And here is a transcription of what Biggs said:
“They really need to firm up that interior. I don’t believe they will be inclined to attempt to re-sign Teven Jenkins, who left yesterday’s game with a calf injury. He’s been on the injury report with five different body parts this season. I think he needs a fresh start elsewhere. I think the best-case scenario for Teven might be a one-year prove-it deal, go out there and show you can get on the field and stay on the field. I just don’t know that’s the case, I’ve never seen an offensive lineman leave games with such regularity.”
Biggs goes on to suggest that the Bears’ offseason priority when it comes to improving the offensive line will happen along the interior trio. Chicago’s football team could have two new starting guards and a new starting center next year. And while Biggs thinks there could be some competition brewing among players currently on the roster, I believe he makes it clear that Teven Jenkins is not likely to be in that mix.
Ironically, I can see the Bears in the mix for a one-year “prove it” deal with an interior lineman — if only because I feel as if it might be a bridge too far to find three sure-fire long-term upgrades who will agree to long-term deals. One or two? Sure. maybe you snag one in the draft and one in free agency. But in any case, it doesn’t seem like a Teven Jenkins return is in the cards.
It sounds like Teven Jenkins’ time in Chicago is done
On the one hand, I understand why the Bears would part ways with Teven Jenkins. Injuries haven’t entirely derailed his career. However, there have been enough of them to keep him from reaching his full potential in Chicago. Jenkins is a talented player, but maybe a mutual split would be best for both parties.
But on the other hand, Bears General Manager Ryan Poles hasn’t found a ton of success in replacing players he has inherited from the previous regime. And that gives me a reason to pause.
Moving on from linebacker Roquan Smith was fine in a vacuum, but the Tremaine Edmunds signing has not played out as well as this team was hoping. Letting guard/center James Daniels walk away has aged poorly with the Iowa product grading out well at Pro Football Focus since leaving Chicago. Knowing the Bears’ luck, Jenkins would leave and find immediate success with a new team. Bears fans of a certain age remember Marc Colombo, a first-round pick in 2002 whose injury-riddled time in Chicago was followed by a run of success and good health with the Dallas Cowboys (2006-10) and Miami Dolphins (2011). Could history repeat itself with Teven Jenkins? At this point, nothing would surprise me.
ROONEY: I Don’t Think the Bears Can Afford to Let Teven Jenkins Walk in Free Agency
A second-round pick in 2021, Teven Jenkins was one of college football’s top offensive line prospects in his class. Many mock drafts from NFL analysts pegged Chicago to use its first-round pick on Jenkins. Instead, the Bears moved up to draft quarterback Justin Fields … and still ended up taking Jenkins in the second round. As it turns out, the potential value of snagging a first-round talent on Day 2 didn’t fully come to fruition because of the injuries that have sidelined the Oklahoma State product over the years. In the end, I hope the Bears have a solid plan to replace Teven Jenkins if they do indeed cut ties with him. Otherwise, they risk finding themselves in another mess.
