In recent light, Teven Jenkins’ status for Week 1 is now in doubt as Jenkins is rumored to be dealing with what could be, two different calf strains in both legs. Although the report has no public news with an official diagnosis, Jenkins is assumed to be out of service for an undefined period of time, almost certainly knocking him out for Week 1 as the Chicago Bears face off against their long-time rival the Packers.
To Chicago Bears fans who have paid attention, this is no surprise, the former second-round pick has started merely 13 games in two years as a Bear due to his recurring health problems. Jenkins has dealt with neck strains, back surgeries, and hip strains in his brief tenure as a Bear, which is quite the resume. Typically, injury problems don’t get better as you are closer to 30 than 20, especially when you are as massive as Teven, who clocked in at 320 pounds.
Simply put, Teven Jenkins can’t be trusted to stay healthy which should rule him out of any consideration for a multi-year extension at the end of his deal which ends in 2025. For many Chicago Bears fans, this might come as a surprise because of how big of a fan favorite Jenkins is, and how good he has been while on the field, especially as a guard.
It is safe to assume that Ryan Poles is already not enamored with the long-term future of Jenkins as a Bear as he just moved Jenkins to the other guard spot when he decided to sign Nate Davis from Tennesee. Not only that, but Jenkins was rumored to be shopped around the league before Poles ultimately decided to hang onto him before the 2022 season.
Losing a guard is not going to make or break a franchise. The Eagles who are going to have to navigate their way through the salary cap with their new Jalen Hurts extension, just let go of Issac Seumalo who was their starting guard. The Chicago Bears should look to replace Jenkins through the draft to avoid having to spend cap space capital on a very replaceable position such as guard. Spending big money on both guard spots is a recipe for disaster when the cap gets tight and when money gets spent down the line.
Teven Jenkins’ long-term future on the Chicago Bears should have always been in doubt, but unless he makes back-to-back all-pro teams, he should be let go at the end of his contract, and not even given consideration long term.