Teven Jenkins worked with the second unit as Braxton Jones was with the first team
Days after admitting he wasn’t sure if he’d be as good following his weight-loss transformation this offseason, Teven Jenkins was seen working with the Chicago Bears’ second-unit offensive line Wednesday, per multiple reports. Getting the opportunity to prove his mettle, rookie Braxton Jones took an open spot at left.
Head coach Matt Eberflus said in his press conference Wednesday the move was to gauge different offensive line combinations. “We’ll figure out what the best thing is,” Eberflus said. “It’s that’s really just more information for the coaches to find out what’s best for the Bears.”
Trying different offensive linemen at new positions is important in order to create the best line possible, Eberflus said. “Who’s the best five guys out there so we can succeed,” Eberflus said the coaching staff was pondering during OTA’s. Roster shake-ups like that also breed competition, he said.
A reporter asked Eberflus if the staff could truly evaluate players without pads on. No true evaluation can come until the Bears staff sees the players practicing with pads fully on, Eberflus said.
The Bears have toyed with tackles all during the offseason
The move is just another shakeup that was seen starting at the Bears’ voluntary minicamp. While Jenkins was practicing at right tackle, Borom was getting reps at left tackle. Jenkins was taken in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, while Borom waited until the fifth round to be called by the Bears.
Jenkins told the media a couple of weeks ago that the switch felt good to him. “I play wherever they need me,” Jenkins said at the time, “Get in where you fit in.” Wednesday, where he fit in was with the second unit. Borom switched his position from starting left tackle to right. Jenkins was not sure he’d be as strong following his near 20-pound weight loss this offseason, he said. The Bears want their lineman to be slimmer in 2022.
Jones now has a chance to impress the Bears staff. Jones was taken by the Bears in the fifth round this year. He played for Southern Utah in college. The Bears will likely continue to shake things up with the roster before training camp. National eyes will be seeing how the Bears will protect Justin Fields after the team gave up 58 sacks last season. The battle for the right and left tackle positions will be juicy to watch.
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