LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Jason Peters took a break from fishing when his phone buzzed along a peaceful Texas creek. He wasn't surprised to see who was calling.
On the other line was Bears offensive line coach Juan Castillo, whom Peters previously played for with the Eagles. The 39-year-old Peters had been training to play an 18th NFL season in 2021 but was just waiting for the right opportunity. It came with a phone call from the Bears, who had a void to fill at left tackle. Peters wasn't ready to retire, and he landed with the Bears just days later on a one-year deal.
"I just love the game," Peters said. "When you stop loving the game, then you let it go. Right now, I still love doing it."
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The Bears were desperate for a solution at left tackle after losing rookie Teven Jenkins to a back injury, which ultimately required surgery last week. The team hopes Jenkins, a second-round pick, can return later this season, though that's no certainty. With Jenkins sidelined as training camp opened, veteran Elijah Wilkinson struggled to solidify the left tackle position and fifth-round pick Larry Borom missed two weeks with a concussion.
Though Peters hasn't formally been named the starter at left tackle, it's his job to lose. The Bears were eager to welcome in Peters, a nine-time Pro Bowler who has had a Hall of Fame-caliber career and who has already taken younger teammates under his wing.
"That experience is invaluable," Bears right tackle Germain Ifedi said. "It’s not even all about football stuff, it’s life stuff too. Relationships, things like that, financial stuff. He talks to us about anything. He’s been in it so long, seen everything. Nothing really that you can come to him with that he has not experienced.
"His presence, it speaks for itself. He doesn’t even really need to say anything. It’s just the way he carries himself. He carries himself like someone who’s done it for awhile and has done it at a high level for awhile. It's impressive to see."
Peters played in eight games in 2020, which marked his 12th year with the Eagles, while missing time with a toe injury. He played through the pain until December, choosing to undergo season-ending surgery once the Eagles had been eliminated from playoff contention.
Though Peters hasn't been a Pro Bowl player since 2016, the Bears believe he's their best fit at left tackle.
"He's going to be in the Hall of Fame someday," Bears coach Matt Nagy said. "But for right now, where he’s at, he’s a guy that when you watch the tape last year you see a guy that still has a lot of game left in him."
Added Peters: "I feel good. I've still got my quicks, my strength."
If the Bears were to chose a different direction at left tackle, Peters said he "wouldn't cry" if he was forced into a reserve role. But he's set to start to open the regular season.
Peters doesn't feel he needs to prove something more in his 18th NFL season. That's not why he picked up a phone call from the Bears.
"The Pro Bowl, I got plenty of those," Peters said. "The All-Pros, all the accolades. The biggest one for me now is Super Bowl. I got one. I would like another here with the Chicago Bears."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.