Olin Kreutz Sees Pro Bowls In Teven Jenkins' Future

When discussing the Chicago Bears offensive line, it's a mixed bag. There have been some good things. Namely, how they've helped block for the #1 rushing attack in the NFL. However, there are also some bad things, like their shoddy pass protection. The big question going into the final stretch is determining who will be around next season and who will likely get replaced. Based on recent assessments, it's a foregone conclusion Teven Jenkins is staying. The former 2nd round pick may not have worked out at tackle, but he's carving out an impressive role since shifting to right guard. One person who has taken notice is Olin Kreutz.

The longtime Bears great is no stranger to offensive line play. He's the best they've employed in the past 30 years by a wide margin. His standards are high whenever he evaluates new faces that join his beloved team. When Jenkins arrived in 2021, Kreutz was intrigued. He saw the potential the kid brought as an athlete. However, he wasn't yet sure how he'd fit in with the Bears. After watching Jenkins develop over the past three months, he expressed how high expectations should be on the Making Monsters podcast.

"When you watch him play, guys, he flashes. Does a guy flash Pro Bowl potential? And he definitely flashes Pro Bowl potential. He has a lot of snap in his body, a lot of natural snap. He's a really good athlete. He's got a tremendous amount of power and for a guy who's just learning how to play the right guard spot, he has been pretty damn impressive."

Olin Kreutz doesn't offer praise that high often.

He'll give guys credit for their work and their ability at times. To openly say Jenkins has a chance to be in Pro Bowls not too long from now is saying something. Experts elsewhere seem to agree. Pro Football Focus already has him as one of the highest-graded run-blocking guards in the league. He's also only allowed five pressures in his last five games. So his pass protection has improved too. There is still work to do. That is hardly a surprise. He never played guard in college and was switched right before the regular season began. Next summer will be the first true off-season he's gotten to work at the position.

The goal for Chicago should be surrounding him with help. They can do much better than Sam Mustipher and Larry Borom as their center and right tackle options. Playing in a good group is part of getting noticed as an offensive lineman. Then again, Olin Kreutz was rarely surrounded by other great blockers in his career. He still made six Pro Bowls. If Jenkins keeps working hard and doing his job, the notoriety will come. That will be especially true if Justin Fields becomes a top quarterback, as many hope.