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Chicago Bears Sign DT John Jenkins

By Bill Zimmerman

Oct 2, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle John Jenkins (92) is blocked by San Diego Chargers center Matt Slauson (68) during the second half at Qualcomm Stadium. New Orleans won 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle John Jenkins (92) is blocked by San Diego Chargers center Matt Slauson (68) during the second half at Qualcomm Stadium. New Orleans won 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Bears added to their defensive line depth by signing free agent DT John Jenkins.

After missing out on the big name free agents, Ryan Pace and the Chicago Bears continue to add depth to several positions of need. Friday, the team announced that they had signed defensive tackle John Jenkins. Jenkins had previously been with the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks in 2016.

Jenkins was a third round pick by the Saints in 2013. Jenkins is a massive man that checks in anywhere from 350 to 370 pounds and is a load in the middle of a 3-4 at nose tackle. Jenkins never quite panned out with New Orleans and was only a rotational player. 2016 was the final year of his rookie deal and when the Saints knew he wasn’t in their future plans, they released him in November.

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Jenkins serves a role in the running game, but doesn’t have the pass rushing ability to help in obvious passing situations (He only has 1.5 career sacks). He does provide the Bears a decent back-up behind Eddie Goldman and someone who could step in and start if Goldman misses games in 2017.

Jenkins started 21 games for the Saints during his first three seasons and his connection to Pace is an obvious one, Pace was part of the front office that drafted him in 2013. This move, however, does create a question as to how the front office sees Will Sutton.

Sutton subbed for Goldman last year at NT despite being far smaller than a traditional nose tackle. Perhaps the Bears have other plans for Sutton and want a more traditionally sized NT, or they may just want to create an open competition for the NT2 spot in training camp.

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