Teven Jenkins Actually Kind Of Dominated The Vikings

The Chicago Bears had high hopes when they managed to trade up and draft Teven Jenkins in the 2nd round back in April. They felt he had the mix of size, power, nastiness, and athleticism to make a bookend tackle in the NFL. Then before he had a chance to show it, the poor kid had to undergo back surgery. This was before playing a single snap in training camp. So by the time he finally returned earlier this month, he was well behind schedule. It certainly showed when he first saw the field against Green Bay. With veteran Jason Peters going down to a high ankle sprain, Jenkins got thrown into the fire. Not only did he allow two sacks on Justin Fields, but he also had four penalties. It was an inauspicious start, to say the least. Did this discourage the rookie? Not at all. Teammates informed the media that he was right back to work preparing for Minnesota as if nothing happened.

A good sign of his mental toughness.

So with him in line to start this past week, was it more of the same? Not at all. While Jenkins continues to struggle with penalty issues, his actual play on the field was like night and day compared to last week. He looked far more comfortable, far more prepared, and far more like the player he was in college. In other words, a bully. The numbers backed it up too. Not only did the rookie allow just two pressures on Fields in 48 pass blocking snaps. Bears backs also averaged 8.5 yards per carry when running directly behind him.

For Jenkins to make that level of improvement from his first to his second game? It's a testament both to his talent and his hard work. He made sure he was better prepared this time and it showed. The best part of all might be the attitude he showed. His biggest moment of the game was when he drew a personal foul for getting into a scuffle with Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum who'd shoved Fields late out of bounds. That kind of mentality has been sorely missing from this offense.

Teven Jenkins has the building blocks of a true fixture at OT

There is plenty of work to do before anybody can consider him a true starting left tackle. The penalties is by far the biggest one he needs to work on. Too many false starts and too often getting caught holding. Those are fixable. He has to learn how to use his hands and technique better. That comes with practice and repetition. That will also help him against the better pass rushers he's bound to face in the coming weeks. When it comes to power and athleticism? That isn't a concern. They made Teven Jenkins a star at Oklahoma State. If not for his back issues that cropped up late in his college run, most believe he would've been a 1st round pick. By his own admission, the surgery was a godsend. He feels better than he has since high school. Pain-free. Seeing the rookie attack defenders on Monday night confirmed as much.

If he stays healthy, the sky is the limit.

Especially if the Bears can upgrade their coaching staff next month. If Matt Nagy and his crew can get him to play this well. Just imagine what a competent group might get out of him. There are plenty of reasons for excitement moving forward. Given the flashes lately, it's quite possible Chicago found their quarterback and left tackle of the future in the same draft.