00:00Today, we're diving into some big NFL rumors surrounding the Chicago Bears.
00:05Specifically, we're talking about their offensive line and one player who's been protecting Caleb
00:11Williams, Tevin Jenkins. Rumor has it the Bears aren't planning to re-sign him. Stick around
00:17because we're breaking it all down. Let's go. All right, let's set the stage here. The Chicago
00:22Bears came into the 2024 season with sky-high expectations. Caleb Williams was supposed to be
00:29the savior, the cornerback who could finally lead the team to glory. But the season hasn't exactly
00:36gone as planned. Injuries, inconsistent play, and yes, a struggling offensive line have been
00:44the major factors. Now, let's focus on Tevin Jenkins. He's been a key piece of the offensive
00:51line since being drafted in 2021. When he's healthy, Jenkins is a beast. He's physical,
00:58aggressive, and capable of dominating in the trenches. But, and this is a big but, staying
01:05healthy has been a massive issue for him. So, let's break down Jenkins' injury history. In 2021,
01:11his rookie season, he played just six games and started only two. Not a great start. In 2022,
01:17he managed to appear in 13 games, starting 11. Better, but still not ideal. Then in 2023,
01:24he played 12 games with 11 starts. And now in 2024, he's played 14 games and started all of
01:30them. But even this year, he's been on the injury report multiple times, with problems involving
01:36five different body parts. Five! That's unheard of for an offensive lineman. Rad Biggs from 670,
01:44the score, recently gave his take on Jenkins, and it's pretty telling. I said this year, stay healthy.
01:50Um, that's number one. That's the most of most of the importance for me right now.
01:56According to Biggs, the Bears might not even try to re-sign Jenkins.
02:00Why? Because they're tired of the constant injuries. Stay healthy, get through the whole
02:0417 games, and continue my strong play from last year, and be a more persistent, reliable guy.
02:12The only offensive lineman on the roster right now, according to Pro Football Focus,
02:16is not allowed a pressure or sack this year.
02:21Biggs pointed out that Jenkins has left games with injuries more often than any offensive
02:26lineman he's ever seen. That's a brutal assessment, but it's hard to argue with the fact.
02:33So, where does this leave the Bears? First off, they've gotta protect Caleb Williams.
02:37That's priority number one. Williams is the future of this franchise, and if he's gonna
02:43succeed, he needs a strong offensive line. Right now, the interior of the Bears' line
02:48is a big question mark. They need two new starting guards, and possibly a new center as well.
02:54That's a lot of work to do in one offseason. The good news is the Bears have the resources
02:59to make some big moves. They're sitting on three picks in the top 41 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
03:05They also have four picks in the top 73. That's a lot of draft capital, and it gives them the
03:11flexibility to go after top-tier offensive line talent. On top of that, they've got some cap
03:19space to work with in free agency. So... But here's the thing. Finding elite offensive linemen
03:26in free agency isn't easy. Most teams lock up their best linemen long before they hit the open
03:32market. So the Bears might have to get creative. They could look for younger players with upside,
03:37or veterans who are willing to take a team-friendly deal. They could also consider
03:42trading some of their draft capital for proven players. Now let's talk about what this means
03:47for Tevin Jenkins. Even though the Bears might be ready to move on, Jenkins could still find a home
03:53elsewhere in the league. He's too talented to be completely written off. Some team will likely
03:59take a chance on him, maybe on a one-year prove-it deal. If he can stay healthy, he could be a
04:05valuable addition for a team in need of offensive line help. But here's the big question. Is Jenkins
04:12worth the risk? On one hand, his injury history is a huge red flag. On the other hand, his talent
04:19is undeniable. When he's on the field, he's one of the better guards in the league. It's a tough
04:24call, and it'll be interesting to see how it plays out. For the Bears, this is about more than just
04:30Jenkins. It's about building an offensive line that can protect Caleb Williams and give him the
04:35time he needs to make plays. Williams has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but he's also
04:41taken way too many hits. If the Bears want him to develop into the superstar they believe he can be,
04:48they've got to prioritize his protection. Let's zoom out for a minute and look at the bigger
04:53picture. The Bears are at a crossroads. They've got their quarterback of the future in Caleb
04:59Williams. They've got draft capital. They've got cap space. But they've also got a ton of holes to
05:06fill, especially on the offensive line. How they handle this offseason could determine the direction
05:13of the franchise for years to come. If you're a Bears fan, this has to be a little frustrating.
05:19The team finally has a potential franchise quarterback, but the pieces around him just
05:24aren't there yet. The offensive line has been a problem for years, and it's still a problem now.
05:30Fixing it isn't going to be easy, but it's absolutely necessary. So what should the Bears do?
05:36First, they need to evaluate their current roster. Are there any players who can step up and fill
05:41these gaps? Maybe, but they'll likely need to look outside the organization for help.
05:47That means scouting the draft thoroughly and identifying players who can make an immediate
05:51impact. It also means being aggressive in free agency and exploring trade opportunities.
05:58One name to watch in the draft is Cooper Gaines, the standout guard from Georgia. He's a dominant
06:04force in the trenches and could be exactly what the Bears need to solidify their interior line.
06:11Another option could be a player like Max Jenkins from Ohio State, who's versatile enough to play
06:18both guard and center. These are the kinds of players who could make a big difference for the
06:22Bears. In free agency, the options might be more limited, but there are still some intriguing
06:29possibilities. A veteran like Ben Powers, if available, could provide immediate stability.
06:34Or the Bears could take a chance on a younger player with upside, someone who hasn't quite
06:39reached their full potential yet. The key is finding players who fit their system and can
06:44help protect Caleb Williams. Now, let's not forget about the coaching staff. Offensive line coach
06:50Chris Morgan will play a huge role in this process. It'll be up to him to develop the players the
06:54Bears bring in and get the most out of them. Morgan has a solid track record, so there's reason to be
06:59optimistic about his ability to mold this group into a cohesive unit. As we wrap up, let's circle
07:05back to Taven Jenkins. If this is indeed the end of his time with the Bears, it's a bittersweet
07:11moment. Jenkins has shown flashes of brilliance, but the injuries have just been too much to
07:18overcome. Sometimes, a fresh start is what a player needs, and maybe that's the case here.
07:24For the Bears, the focus has to be on the future. Caleb Williams is the centerpiece of this team,
07:30and protecting him has to be the top priority. Whether it's through the draft, free agency,
07:35or trades, the Bears need to build an offensive line that can keep him upright and give him the
07:41time he needs to succeed. All right, that's going to do it for today's video. What do you think
07:50about the Bears' situation? Should they move on from Taven Jenkins, or should they give him another
07:56chance? And how do you think they should approach fixing the offensive line? Let me know in the
08:01comments below.
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