(670 The Score) Had a different scenario played out in the NFL Draft and the 49ers or the Panthers or the Broncos selected Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, the Bears would've held on to their No. 20 overall pick and been content selecting Oklahoma State offensive tackle Teven Jenkins.
As fate would have it, Fields dropped a bit and the Bears traded up to select him at No. 11 overall. Then Jenkins fell into the second round, where the Bears made another trade, moving up to select him with the No. 39 overall pick.
The Bears believe in Jenkins because he's an NFL-ready talent who's also still maturing as a physical offensive lineman. It wasn't until his junior year at Oklahoma State in 2019 that Jenkins realized his NFL potential and fully committed himself to maximizing his football future. In two years, Jenkins revealed the kind of player he is -- and also what he still could become.
"He just hasn't scratched that surface yet," Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said.
It's why the Bears made the decision last week to release veteran left tackle Charles Leno Jr., their starter at that position for 93 consecutive games. They were clearing room for Jenkins with the belief that he's ready to handle the role.
Jenkins' arrival should immediately improve the Bears' offensive line. Beyond that, it's a matter of how the the other roles are sorted out. Let's break down the outlook at each position.
Left tackle
Beginning with rookie minicamp at Halas Hall this weekend, Jenkins will have his audition to land the starting left tackle spot. There's no immediate competitor he must beat out.
The Bears view Jenkins as a promising prospect with room to grow but who should also be ready to handle the left tackle role. While he played mostly right tackle in college, Jenkins filled that role to help Oklahoma State compensate for injuries on the offensive line.
Some NFL tackles are more comfortable playing one particular side. That isn't considered an issue for Jenkins, whose biggest test in training camp will be in how he handles matchups in practice with pass rushers like Khalil Mack leading into the regular season.
But if Jenkins were to prefer right tackle and not appear ready to handle the left tackle spot that will protect the quarterback's blind side, the Bears would find themselves in a difficult situation. Sliding tackle Germain Ifedi from the right side to the left side would be an option, or perhaps they could shift a guard in Cody Whitehair or Alex Bars over to left tackle. Larry Borom, the Bears' fifth-round pick, will also get the chance to compete.
Left guard
The Bears love to talk about competition. The guard positions will feature that, with a pair of intriguing position battles set to take place.
After suffering a torn pectoral early last October, James Daniels is expected to be healthy and ready for training camp. He'll have to compete for the starting position at left guard against Whitehair, who moved over from center last season and proved to be a better fit at guard.
In the second half of the 2020 season, the Bears found stability on their interior with Whitehair at left guard, Sam Mustipher at center and Bars at right guard, which could put Daniels in a tough position to win back his starting role.
Daniels is fighting an uphill battle at all three interior positions, as he'll have to beat out players who displayed upside late last season.
Center
Here's where it gets interesting for the Bears' offensive line.
Mustipher played well as a starting NFL center, and the Bears view him as a rising player at the position. Though Whitehair has more starts at the position and Daniels still has the team's belief, Mustipher should have the inside track to return as the starting center.
But Mustipher will be challenged to hold onto his starting spot ahead of the regular season. Daniels will battle for the left guard spot, but he also could get the chance to prove himself again at center -- where he struggled in 2019 before being moved to guard. Mustipher displayed a much stronger command of the position than Daniels did during his brief time there.
A five-year starter primarily at center, Whitehair seems more likely to fit at left guard in 2021. The Bears finished the 2020 season with six straight 100-yard rushing games with Mustipher at center being flanked by Whitehair and Bars at the guard spots.
Right guard
If the favorites like Jenkins, Whitehair and Mustipher emerge at their respective positions, who handles the right side of the offensive line?
Bars is the incumbent starting right guard -- and perhaps the top contender to start again in 2021. Though he also played left guard and center last season, Bars fit well at right guard alongside his former college teammate Mustipher and with Whitehair at left guard.
Like Mustipher, Bars will be challenged for the starting job. Daniels will also be involved in this position battle as the Bears will give him every opportunity to earn a starting role. Veteran newcomer Elijah Wilkinson, a starter in 26 games across the last four seasons, will also be in the mix at right guard.
Wilkinson has only played on the right side of the offensive line during his career, so he may be out of the mix for the left tackle and guard competitions.
Right tackle
Is Ifedi simply penciled in as the starting right tackle? Not necessarily.
The priority is to see if Jenkins can indeed fit at left tackle. If the Bears were to find him more comfortable on the right side, that would change the dynamic. Of course, the Bears may not have a true answer on Jenkins' fit until training camp.
The veteran Ifedi was a serviceable fit at right tackle in 2020 after replacing the injured Bobby Massie, who was released this offseason. But the Bears will be curious to see whether Wilkinson or the rookie Borom can push him for the starting job.
Starting with rookie minicamp this weekend, the Bears' position battles will begin. And there will be great intrigue on the offensive line as the competitions play out.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.