The much-maligned Chicago Bears offensive line has quickly pulled a 180.
In back-to-back home wins, which have brought the Bears to 3-2 for the season, the offensive line has allowed the ground game to flourish. Then, Sunday, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams broke out in a major way through the air, and a key part of that was taking just one sack all afternoon.
Finding chemistry with an offensive line can be tricky, and the Bears seem to have figured out a formula after some trial and error. Unfortunately, one veteran member of that line could be headed elsewhere as soon as the season ends.
Teven Jenkins, a former second-round pick as an offensive tackle, has come into his own with the Bears since becoming a guard in 2022. Now in his fourth NFL season, Jenkins is quietly establishing himself as a reliable veteran, and could stand to make a nice free-agent contract in 2025.
On Monday, Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department predicted Jenkins would land that contract with the Cleveland Browns, a team whose current offensive line needs far outweigh those of the Bears.
"The pairing of Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller has been one of the best guard combinations in the league. However, Bitonio will soon be 33 and Wyatt Teller just went to injured reserve with an MCL sprain," the authors said.
"Finding a way to land a young starting-caliber player on the interior could be pivotal for the Browns to continue to have an elite offensive line. Jenkins started his career as a tackle, but has become an above average starter on the interior."
Jenkins, 26, has become a fixture at the right guard position in Chicago for the last three seasons. He has blown just 28 blocks since the start of 2022, per Sports Info Solutions, and racked up 54 total points earned.
Offensive line personnel decisions are always difficult to make because there's always some team out there more desperate than you are to plug a hole. The Browns, who have been ravaged by injuries this season, may well be that team.
Would keeping Jenkins be valuable to the Bears' future title hopes? That all depends on the price tag.
More NFL: Bears urged to sign 49ers Pro Bowler to address 'biggest weakness'
