It sounds like Teven Jenkins will be playing at a new spot on the offensive line when the Chicago Bears begin the 2023 season. Just ask him yourself.
On Sunday, the third-year offensive lineman was asked on Twitter where he was going to play this upcoming season. Jenkins responded with a link to a tweet by Bryson Stricker saying he would be moving to the left side of the line.
Stricker tweeted the move following the Bears’ signing of former Tennessee Titans guard Nate Davis last month during free agency.
https://t.co/71IyjQNCWR https://t.co/lwMVtQwxZ4
— Tev (@TevenJenkins) April 9, 2023
Per a source, Bears OL Teven Jenkins will be moving to LG next season for Chicago.
This move comes after the Bears have acquired G Nate Davis. #nfl
— Bryson Stricker (@BryBryStrick) March 14, 2023
Plans can always change and the Bears haven’t been shy about tinkering with their offensive line throughout the offseason since general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus were hired. But if the move takes place, it will be Jenkins’ third position change since coming into the league in 2021.
Jenkins was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the expectation of playing left tackle under former general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy. Injuries limited him to just a few games late in the year with up-and-down results. When the new regime took over last year, they tried him at right tackle before settling at right guard in training camp to begin the season.
Right guard appeared to be the best landing spot for Jenkins as he excelled at the position. He allowed just two sacks according to Pro Football Focus and was consistently effective as a run blocker. Injuries ended his season prematurely and now he will begin a new year at yet another new position. Davis, meanwhile, will start at right guard, where he’s played every year since coming into the league back in 2019.
Jenkins has shown the versatility to play wherever he’s needed and has the attitude to back it up. “I’ll play wherever they need me,” Jenkins told reporters last spring. “Get in where you fit in.” He’ll have his shot to fit in at left guard, which has been occupied by Cody Whitehair for the past few seasons.
This means Whitehair could move to center, which Poles suggested a few weeks ago in a press conference, or perhaps the two will battle it out to see who comes out on top at the position. Regardless, it will be another position for Jenkins to learn this offseason.
