LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — In 2022, Teven Jenkins thought of himself as a tackle playing guard for the Bears. He hadn't fully come to grips with the significant positional move early in his NFL career.
Now entering his third NFL season, Jenkins is set as the Bears' starter at left guard – a position the team hopes he can hold for the long term. And he's embracing his newfound stability.
"I'd label myself as a guard as is it right now," Jenkins said.
A second-round pick of the Bears in 2021, Jenkins has endured plenty in his first two NFL seasons. He underwent back surgery prior to the start of the regular season in 2021, when he played in just six games. During training camp last August, Jenkins dealt with an injury and was the subject of trade speculation as he struggled to fit the new Bears regime's vision. But an injury to veteran Lucas Patrick on the first day of camp forced Jenkins to shift from tackle to right guard, where he started 11 games.
Jenkins was set back by hip and neck injuries late in the season but asserted himself well at guard. He ranked third among all guards in the NFL in Pro Football Focus' grades and was the best at his position in run blocking.
Jenkins has continued to focus on his health this offseason through pilates and work with the Bears' sports science staff. The goal has been to prevent injuries altogether.
"The whole theme for this offseason was mind, body and spirit and how I can do that better as an individual," Bears coach Matt Eberflus said. "How we can do that better as a team. And he worked on that.
"It's all about being a pro and taking care of your body. What you put into your body and how you take care of it is going to really be good for your health going forward."
When the Bears signed veteran guard Nate Davis to a three-year deal in March, Jenkins' phone rang about five minutes later. It was offensive line coach Chris Morgan, who was calling to inform Jenkins that another position switch was coming. Jenkins would be on the move from right guard to left guard this time. As the Bears have sought continuity on their offensive line, they've viewed Jenkins as a key player.
The Bears weren't exactly sure what they had with Jenkins last summer as he initially struggled to earn the new coaching staff's faith. In time, they found a promising player who has now accepted his shift to guard.
"In your heart, you want to fight for, 'That's who I used to be,'" Jenkins said. "You live in the past. I need to look forward. Right now, for me, it's going to be at guard. That's my title right now."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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