Last year around this time Teven Jenkins was looking at making the shift from right tackle to left tackle. The move was surprising to many because Jenkins played his best at Oklahoma State on the right side. Still, once the Chicago Bears drafted him Ryan Pace shipped out Charles Leno, so they really had no other choice.
Injuries ended the rookie season for Jenkins before it ever started, but he did get on the field for some work at left tackle. Jenkins was fine, but with a new regime in place, there were questions about how they felt about Jenkins.
They may like Jenkins, but it appears as though they would like him to shift back to right tackle.
During the early portion of mini-camps he lined up there and then at the first snaps of OTAs, he was their starting right tackle.
Teven Jenkins says he feels comfortable at right tackle (where he’s been working), and his understanding is that’s his position at least for now (with Borom at LT). @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/IuWMvfARJH
— Matt Zahn (@mattzahnsports) May 24, 2022
The immediate reaction is disappointing that once again the Chicago Bears drafted a lineman, made him change positions his rookie season, and now are switching him back again. This seems to happen too often, from Cody Whitehair to James Daniels and even Kyle Long at times.
At the same time, this is the right decision. Only Ryan Pace liked him at left tackle more than right tackle and he only liked that because he needed to cut Leno to save cap space. He was just digging deeper and deeper trying to get out of his hole.
Jenkins was a stud on the right side, and his run blocking and power have always translated better on the right side. This will get Jenkins back to where he is more natural and his skillset suits him best.
Beyond that is the idea that the Bears told him right tackle is his position. They added at least for now, but that would be because serious issues occurred and he had to change. If Jenkins does well at right tackle, it is his.
This speaks to continuity. The worst thing that could happen would be to have Jenkins work at right tackle and then in training camp realize you would prefer him on the left side. Or worse yet do a move during the season or at the end of this season. Continuing jerking a player from one position to another does not help his development.
Teven Jenkins is a promising right tackle, but between injury and position change he hardly has any NFL snaps at right tackle, and that includes practice sessions. The Bears need to get Jenkins as many snaps at right tackle as possible, and they are on the right track.