Why Teven Jenkins' Practice "Demotion" Is Actually Encouraging

Chicago Bears offseason practices began with a surprise when cornerback Jaylon Johnson was spotted running with the second-team defense. Head coach Matt Eberflus insisted the decision was more about assessing his conditioning than anything since he hadn't practiced much by that point. Things felt a bit different when media members spotted Teven Jenkins running with the second-team offense during Wednesday's final OTA practice. It is difficult not to raise an eyebrow at this. The Bears are thin at tackle on paper. It felt like Jenkins was an obvious starter this year as a former 2nd round pick. So for coaches to move him out of the starting lineup is hard to ignore. It makes one wonder if they're seeing some sort of flaw with the young tackle that concerns them. For his part, Eberflus' explanation centered less around what might be wrong with Jenkins and more on what might be right with others.

“We’re just trying to find the best combinations of people, especially when you’re looking at the offensive line. Who’s the best five guys out there so we can succeed? And it creates competition when you do that, you know when you’re moving guys around. Who can function at different spots, and who can really execute?”

That phrasing is important.

People are focused on Jenkins' possible shortcomings. Maybe a better angle is what the coaches might be seeing from the other two guys involved in the lineup change. I already spoke about rookie Braxton Jones being elevated to the left tackle spot. He successfully played that position at Southern Utah and carried it into the Senior Bowl. The Bears were so interested in him that they sent representatives to see him work out one more time, mere days before the draft. Then there is Larry Borom. Coaches were bullish on the former 5th round pick last year, and he ended up starting eight games. All of them were at right tackle. That was his original position in college. The fact he wasn't the one demoted instead of Jenkins suggests he has looked quite good in practices. Coaches want to see if he can look equally as good on the right side. That might sway their decision on the starting lineup in the future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NmgDfItYyk&ab_channel=ChicagoBears

Teven Jenkins will likely still end up starting.

He is way too talented to be left off the field. It is possible the Bears were sending him a message with the demotion. He needs to pick things up once the pads go on next month. The reality is they are unlikely to put Justin Fields' blind side in the hands of a 5th round rookie. Jones would have to blow them away in training camp for that to happen. It could happen, but it feels like a long shot. It is also worth noting that Teven Jenkins spent all last offseason working at left tackle. Matt Nagy and his staff felt his size and athleticism were a good fit for it. So he's had to spend this offseason re-learning how to function on the right side. Contrary to popular myth, that is easy. Even though he played right tackle in college, it still takes time to train your feet to handle drops going in one direction or the other.

Now isn't the time to assume anything.

Take a positive spin on this development. Rather than Jenkins looking bad, it might be better to assume Jones and Borom have looked good. It is a favorable early sign that GM Ryan Poles might've found something in the rookie. Last but not least, it is a reminder from Eberflus that no job is safe on this team. Everybody is competing.