Chicago Bears offensive lineman Teven Jenkins had an eventful training camp over the summer that resulted in him moving from tackle to guard due to injuries and ineffectiveness at the position. The result has been Jenkins excelling at his new spot and he seems to have found a home on the interior of the offensive line. But could he make a return to tackle at some point given the uncertainty at the position? Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy doesn’t seem inclined to make such a move.
Getsy, speaking with reporters on Thursday, addressed a question posed regarding Jenkins’ future on the offensive line and if there’s any interest in seeing what he can do back at the tackle position. “I think he’s a guy who could do it but I think what is most important is that he continues to grow at what he’s at,” said Getsy. “I think moving inside this year gave him an opportunity to find himself and I think he has. He’s done a really nice job of owning that role and has an opportunity to be a really good guy on the inside. So I don’t think there’s any interest to try and move him somewhere else, but I think he’s capable of doing that.”
Jenkins was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State as the team’s future left tackle. He was injured for most of his rookie season, however, and only saw a limited amount of playing time near the end of the year.
This offseason, he seemed to fall out of favor early with the new regime as trade rumors surrounded him early in training camp. But he embraced a position change following the team’s first preseason game, replacing veteran Michael Schofield, and hasn’t looked back.
Jenkins has played 11 games at right guard in 2022, allowing just two sacks on the season and is the highest-graded player on the Bears offensive line, according to Pro Football Focus. He is a menacing run blocker and improved in pass protection as the season has progressed.
Jenkins may have come into the league as a tackle, but he’s clearly found a home at guard and it sounds like the Bears are happy keeping him there. Now they will need to see if someone like Alex Leatherwood, another high pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, can be a solution next to Jenkins at right tackle over these final four games.
