Chicago Bears sign DE Jarvis Jenkins
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears finally added a defensive end in free agency with the signing of former Redskins DE Jarvis Jenkins. With the switch to a 3-4 scheme this season and the loss of DT Stephen Paea, the Bears are very thin at the DE position. Jenkins should at least be able to provide depth there after playing in a 3-4 with the Redskins for the last three seasons. Jenkins was a 2nd round pick out of Clemson in 2011, but missed his rookie season with an ACL tear.
Since then Jenkins, 27, has started 33 games for the Redskins with 58 tackles and 5 sacks over the last three seasons. It’s misleading to judge a 3-4 defensive end by his stats, as his main responsibility is to take on double teams and free up linebackers to make plays.
At 6’4, 310 pounds Jenkins has good size for the position but don’t expect much production out of him. According to Pro Football Focus, Jenkins is coming off his worst season as a pro and had the 3rd worst grade among 3-4 DEs (-16.8). Despite his low grade, the Bears needed size and depth at the defensive end position and the 1-year, veteran minimum contract they signed Jenkins for carries no risk if he doesn’t play well or the Bears find a better player elsewhere.
Perhaps the best news of the Jenkins signing is his twitter exchange with ILB Mason Foster, who the Bears have been talking with on and off the last few weeks.
Adding both Jenkins and Foster would give the Bears some depth at two of their thinnest positions and Foster at least has starter potential. He was originally looking for $4-$5M per year, but a lack of interest from teams may have dropped that price considerably. The Jenkins move isn’t exciting, but gives the Bears a big body on the D-line and the signing of Foster would give the Bears a potential starter next to Jon Bostic at inside linebacker.