00:00The Chicago Bears are staring down a major decision as free agency looms.
00:22Right guard Tevin Jenkins, one of the team's most dominant interior linemen, is set to
00:26hit the open market.
00:28But will the Bears keep him, or is he destined to suit up for another team in 2025?
00:35Tevin Jenkins, the talent and the risk.
00:39Jenkins has been a force when he's on the field.
00:42He plays with power, aggression, and an edge that every offensive line needs.
00:46His ability to bulldoze defenders in the run game and hold his ground in pass protection
00:51makes him a coveted player.
00:52When Jenkins is on the field, he's a difference maker.
00:55His physicality sets the tone for the entire offense, and his presence gives the quarterback
01:00much-needed confidence in the pocket.
01:03His pass block win rate last season was an elite 92%, showing just how effective he can
01:09be in keeping defenders at bay.
01:12However, football isn't just about talent.
01:15It's about availability, and this is where Jenkins' story gets complicated.
01:19Injuries have plagued him since entering the league in 2021.
01:23His talent has never been in question, but his ability to stay on the field is a major
01:28red flag.
01:29He missed four games in 2022, five more in 2023, and three in 2024.
01:37That's a total of 12 missed games over three seasons.
01:40He's battled back problems, a serious neck injury, and lower body issues that have made
01:44it difficult to rely on him for a full season.
01:47The Bears love his game, but can they afford to commit big money to a player who might
01:53not be available when they need him most?
01:56Beyond just the games he has missed, Jenkins' injuries have often come at crucial moments
02:01in the season, impacting the Bears' ability to find continuity on the offensive line.
02:07Offensive line play is all about chemistry, and rotating different players in and out
02:11disrupts that rhythm.
02:13Every snap missed by Jenkins has meant extra reps for backups who may not have the same
02:18level of talent or consistency.
02:20This has forced Chicago to constantly shuffle the lineup, which has led to inconsistent
02:25performances across the board.
02:26A consistent, healthy offensive line can be the backbone of a successful team, and that's
02:31what makes Jenkins' situation so challenging.
02:34The market for Jenkins
02:36This is where things get interesting.
02:39Every year, teams around the league pay premium prices for offensive linemen, especially those
02:43who can hold their own in both the run and pass game.
02:46Jenkins is projected to command around $13 million per year on his next deal, a significant
02:52raise from his rookie contract.
02:54The question is, will a team be willing to take the gamble?
02:58One team that has been linked to Jenkins is the New York Giants.
03:01ESPN's Matt Bowen has projected the Giants as the best fit for Jenkins, and it makes
03:06sense.
03:07The Giants finished tied for the worst record in the NFL last season, and their offensive
03:10line play was a disaster.
03:13They struggled to protect their quarterbacks, allowing one of the highest sack totals in
03:16the league.
03:17Their run game suffered as well, with Saquon Barkley having to create yards on his own
03:21more often than not for the Giants.
03:25Adding a player like Jenkins could be a step in the right direction.
03:28He would immediately improve their interior blocking and bring a level of toughness that
03:32they desperately need.
03:34But are they willing to invest in a player with an injury history?
03:38That's the gamble New York or any other team will have to consider when evaluating Jenkins
03:44in free agency.
03:46Beyond the Giants, there are other teams that could enter the mix.
03:50The Washington Commanders, who have also struggled in past protection, could look to make a move.
03:56The Carolina Panthers, with a young quarterback in Bryce Young, may also want to add a veteran
04:00presence to help stabilize their offensive line.
04:04Free agency is unpredictable, and all it takes is one team willing to take the risk
04:09to set the market.
04:11The Bears' financial situation and options.
04:14From a financial perspective, the Bears have a lot of flexibility.
04:17After releasing Demarcus Walker and Gerald Everett, they have nearly $80 million in projected
04:23cap space for 2025.
04:26That gives them the ability to retain key players, target free agents, and address positions
04:32of need.
04:33If the Bears truly want Jenkins back, they can afford to pay him.
04:38But it's not just about money.
04:40It's about value.
04:41Ryan Poles and the new coaching staff have to ask themselves, is Jenkins worth a long-term
04:46investment or would they be better off spending that money elsewhere?
04:49The Bears could look at signing another guard in free agency.
04:52Or they could turn to the draft, where they have multiple high picks.
04:55With a strong offensive line class available, Chicago could find a younger, healthier player
05:01at a cheaper price.
05:04Another possibility is a short-term, incentive-based contract.
05:07Instead of guaranteeing a large portion of Jenkins' deal, the Bears could structure
05:11his contract with bonuses tied to games played.
05:15This would protect the team financially while also giving Jenkins the chance to maximize
05:19his earnings if he stays healthy.
05:22Some teams have successfully used this approach, with injury-prone players allowing them to
05:26retain top talent without taking on excessive risk.
05:30The Bears' Offensive Line Situation
05:33Another key factor in this decision is the state of the Bears' offensive line.
05:37Right now, there are more questions than answers.
05:40Darnell Wright appears to be a long-term solution at right tackle, but beyond that, there's
05:45uncertainty.
05:46The left tackle position is still up in the air.
05:49The Bears also need to figure out who will be their starting center moving forward.
05:53If Jenkins walks, they'll have another hole to fill at guard.
05:57A strong offensive line is essential for the success of any team, especially one with
06:01a young quarterback.
06:02If the Bears decide to part ways with Jenkins, they need to have a clear plan for replacing
06:06him.
06:07Whether it's through free agency or the draft, they can't afford to take a step back in
06:10the trenches.
06:11Protecting the quarterback and establishing a solid run game should be a top priority
06:14for the new coaching staff.
06:16Jenkins' value to the Bears?
06:18At the end of the day, Jenkins is going to get paid.
06:21His talent ensures that.
06:23But will it be in Chicago?
06:26That's the million-dollar question.
06:28The Bears have the cap space to bring him back, but they also have several other needs
06:33to address.
06:34This decision could impact the entire direction of their offseason strategy.
06:40If the Bears let Jenkins go, will they regret it?
06:43If he stays healthy and thrives with another team, Chicago could look back and wonder if
06:49they made a mistake.
06:50On the other hand, if they commit big money to him and he continues to struggle with injuries,
06:56it could be a costly misstep.
06:58The other factor at play is continuity.
07:00The Bears' offensive line has already undergone multiple changes over the past few seasons.
07:05Letting go of a talented player like Jenkins, even with his injury history, means another
07:09reset in the trenches.
07:11With a new coaching staff coming in, continuity may be something they value highly as they
07:16implement their system.
07:18This is one of the biggest free agency decisions for the Bears in 2025.
07:23And whatever they decide will have a ripple effect on the rest of their offseason.
07:27Bears fans, buckle up.
07:30This is going to be a wild ride.
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