The Chicago Bears handled most of their significant contract issues over the past six months. After acquiring Montez Sweat via trade, they quickly secured him to a four-year extension. Then, in March, they finally reached a lucrative agreement with cornerback Jaylon Johnson. With both of their best defensive players secure, the Bears didn't really have anybody left facing an imminent situation. Well, at least depending on who you ask. Some would say left guard Teven Jenkins is an important name to consider.
Nobody can dispute that the former 2nd round pick plays at a Pro Bowl level for long stretches. He told the media on Wednesday that he and his agent had approached the Bears about an extension because of this. However, he didn't get the response he was hoping for.
Some might be surprised by this. They shouldn't be. Jenkins even hinted at why the Bears rebuffed him shortly before the question about the contract. It was about his goals for 2024.
That is the crux of the situation. Jenkins plays well when he's on the field. Since being drafted in 2021, he has missed 20 games, including five last season. Chicago can't trust him right now. There is no way they are handing him a contract likely worth at least $15 million per year until he proves his body can withstand the rigors of a full season.
Teven Jenkins controls his own destiny.
The Bears are willing to retain him. All signs point to them loving his style of play. However, GM Ryan Poles has often made it clear that he values availability above anything else. You're no use to the team if you aren't playing. They can't pay a guy who is virtually guaranteed to miss four or five games every year with various ailments. At least not unless he is willing to take considerably less money than he's hoping for. Nobody is under more pressure to perform this season than Jenkins.
A safe benchmark is 15 games. That is how many he has to play at least if the Bears are going to feel comfortable about handing him an extension. The closest Teven Jenkins has gotten to that mark in his career was 13 in 2022. If he fails again, don't be shocked if the team lets him walk in free agency. With three picks in the first two rounds of next year's draft, the Bears could easily seek a replacement while keeping the money for other, more reliable players. Here is hoping the big guy finally puts it all together.
