Chicago Bears Face Major Offensive Line Issues; Update on Teven Jenkins contract situation doesn’t sound great

The Chicago Bears are grappling with serious issues on their offensive line, particularly in the interior. Nate Davis, plagued by health and inconsistency, has been benched for most of the past two weeks. Center Coleman Shelton is frequently overmatched, adding to the struggles. The team had hoped to rely on Teven Jenkins at left guard, but his performance this season has fallen far short of last year’s level. He’s allowed six pressures and two sacks in just over three games and is once again dealing with an injury.

Jenkins’ health and consistency have always been a concern. Despite his size, athleticism, and potential, injuries have kept him out of multiple games since being drafted in 2021. This is why the Bears opted not to engage in contract extension talks with him during the offseason. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Jenkins hasn’t done enough to change the team’s stance, and his time is running out.

If Nate Davis doesn’t turn things around, the Bears are likely to part ways with him after this season, which would leave them in need of a starting guard. While Davis is signed through 2025, his guaranteed money runs out at the end of this year, making it easy to speculate that his time with the team is coming to an end.

The Bears must be careful not to overvalue Jenkins just to avoid having to replace both starting guards in the offseason. If the team wasn’t ready to pay Jenkins before this season, his inconsistent play and injury issues in the first month likely haven’t changed their minds. Jenkins isn’t out of time yet, but it’s running short.

Teven Jenkins should have checked twitter before facing T'Vondre Sweat https://t.co/FnkbkxbmrS pic.twitter.com/1komTvBfIf

— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) September 9, 2024

 

Jenkins is not out of Time but is Dwindling Fast

With bruised ribs, there’s hope that Jenkins can recover in time to play against the Carolina Panthers next Sunday. He hasn’t missed a game yet this season, which is crucial given his injury history. However, his pass protection remains shaky, and his run-blocking performance has declined significantly. His current grade of 60.2 is the lowest of his career, compared to a solid 71.7 last year.

As the Bears enter a tough stretch of the season, with 13 games remaining and several difficult matchups ahead, Jenkins needs to step up. If he doesn’t, the team may decide he’s not part of their long-term plans—just as it appears they’ve already decided with Nate Davis. Time is working against Jenkins, and his future with the Bears is uncertain.