Chicago Bears: Jenkins Ready To Take Advantage Of Opportunity

Chicago Bears offensive lineman Teven Jenkins has had a turbulent time in his short time as a professional. He has a second chance at starting by moving over to right guard and wants to take full advantage.

Chicago Bears offensive lineman Teven Jenkins has had a tumultuous time since the team drafted him in the second round of the draft last year. He was supposed to be the future of the line at left tackle, blocking quarterback Justin Fields‘ blindside.

Things did not work out as planned, however. Jenkins suffered a back injury that ultimately resulted in him having surgery. He did come back to play but it was not until December.

The thought this offseason was that Jenkins would still take over at left tackle. The new regime had a different idea, though. At minicamps, the coaches moved Jenkins over to right tackle. Then they demoted him to the second team.

There were reports about the coaching staff dealing with Jenkins’ maturity. There was a mysterious injury that no one could actually describe. Suddenly they were fielding trade talks. It looked as if his time in Chicago was coming to an end.

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Jenkins gets a second chance

Just when things seemed too bad to find a resolution, something happened. The coaches decided to do something that most draft analysts expected a long time ago — they moved him to right guard.

In the first preseason game, Michael Schofield, who was thought to be the starter at right guard, struggled mightily. He did so bad that perhaps the coaches felt they needed to find another option.

Jenkins started working at right guard and quickly got work with the starters. Now, he’ll see action at guard in an actual game. It will be interesting to see how he looks. His strength would be an asset playing in traffic. He could move bodies around and not have to worry about quick, athletic pass rushers on the edge.

Jenkins feels things are finally getting better for him. He feels healthy and wants to take advantage of this opportunity.

Everything right now is pointing up for me. I’m feeling good and looking forward to Thursday [at Seattle] so I can show myself out and make sure I can still play this game at a high level…I’m starting to appreciate all the snaps I get, all the downs, all the camaraderie with my teammates.

If Jenkins does a good job at right guard it could be a big boost for the offensive line. With him, Larry Borom, and, eventually, Braxton Jones on the starting line it gives the Chicago Bears a young, athletic unit. Throw in Lucas Patrick and Cody White hair as dependable veterans and the offensive line could quickly turn from a liability to an asset for the offense.