5 players who can make or break the Chicago Bears success in 2022
This Chicago Bears player could make or break the season: Teven Jenkins, OL
I was hesitant to pick Teven Jenkins as the fifth player. This could end up being any of the players on the offensive line. The offense needs to improve drastically in this area and I am still hopeful that Jenkins is the guy I thought he could be coming out of Oklahoma State. I had a first-round grade on him as a right tackle. Now, that said, I obviously did not know about the back injury that kept him out for most of the 2021 season. I’m hopeful though that the injury is behind him and he is ready to start dominating opponents this season.
In regards to the fact that Jenkins is now playing with the second-string offense, I am not concerned. I don’t have any doubt that he starts on the right side this year. I’m not as high on Larry Borom as many others. Borom is more inconsistent than it seems many Chicago Bears fans either want to admit or remember. Right now, the team is getting a look at Braxton Jones on the left side. I already mentioned him as a potential starting left tackle earlier this offseason — could that come true? We will have to wait and see.
I’d imagine whoever the starting five offensive linemen are when training camp starts is who will start the 2022 NFL season for this Bears team. My early projection is Jones at left tackle and Jenkins at right tackle. The other option is kicking either Jenkins or Borom inside at right guard.
Sam Mustipher is still getting starting RG reps and it is making me sick to my stomach. We just saw the team drop Jeremiah Attaochu for Mike Pennel. The team also just lost Dakota Dozier to an injury that required him to be carted off the field. It’s possible he’s already done (I predicted he’d be cut anyway) and the team could look to add a free agent or two to finalize the line before the season starts in September.
When it comes to Teven Jenkins though, I still have plenty of faith in him. For comparison’s sake, consider me to Jenkins as Olin Kreutz is to Mustipher haha. Jenkins has the potential to help secure this offensive line to a point that it goes from being one of the worst in the league to at least average. I’m putting more on his performance than anyone else, but it’s possible that any of these five can make or break the season with great or poor performances. No repeats of the Browns game from last season, please!!