Once the Chicago Bears made their dual trades for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, the writing was on the wall for Teven Jenkins. The former 2nd round pick had been the last man standing from a once-promising 2021 draft class. For a time, it looked like he might have a bright future as a Pro Bowl left guard. Sadly, injuries kept getting in his way. He missed several games over the past few seasons and routinely failed to finish a number of them last year. Combine that with the arrival of a new coaching staff and it's not surprising the interest to bring him back was low.
The only question left was where he might try to continue his career. Jenkins took visits with the Cincinnati Bengals and Seattle Seahawks. The latter felt like his probable landing spot, but things took an unexpected turn. According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, the 26-year-old found a new home with the Cleveland Browns. It isn't a surprise. They badly need some insurance as their own starting guards, Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, are both in their 30s.
Teven Jenkins may give the Bears one last gift.
It will be important to watch his contract with Cleveland carefully. If he signed one in excess of $5 million per year, that means he will cancel out one of the compensatory free agents the Bears signed earlier this month. Then, if Keenan Allen manages to land a deal worth $5 million or more, the team would be in line to receive a compensatory pick in 2026. That may not have been the original outcome the team wanted for Teven Jenkins, but it would at least be a nice parting gift. All one can do is hope he manages to avoid the same pitfalls in Cleveland that haunted him here. He wouldn't be the first former Bears offensive lineman to experience such a rebound. He deserves it.
Loading comments...