It’s been an eventful summer for Bears offensive lineman Teven Jenkins. The former second-round pick missed seven consecutive practices at the start of training camp and had to deal with rumors of him clashing with coaches and being on the trade block.
After returning to practice, Jenkins worked his way from the third-team to second-team right tackle before getting an opportunity at right guard. Now, Jenkins is in prime position to start at right guard heading into Week 1 of the regular season.
“It’s been like a rollercoaster and a mix of emotions for me,” Jenkins said. “Going from right tackle 3 to go to second right guard and I’m starting now, it’s a lot about seizing opportunity. That’s one thing I’m looking forward to doing this weekend.”
Jenkins has played his entire career at tackle — with the exception of his start in college — so it’s definitely been a transition to right guard.
“It’s like you have a dude right there, right now instead of all this space,” Jenkins said. “At tackle, you have a lot of time to think about what’s going to happen and a lot of space to do whatever technique you’re thinking about, and at guard it’s happening a lot quicker, like really fast.”
Jenkins made a transition to right guard just over a week ago, where he saw his first live action last Thursday after just two practices. Now, Jenkins says he feels a lot more comfortable at the position.
“A lot more comfortable than when I started because I actually had more reps under my belt and I’m starting to learn all the tendencies, all the consistency I need to have to be a guard instead of a tackle,” he said.
Jenkins has one more opportunity to prove that he’s deserving of the starting right guard job in Saturday’s preseason finale. Especially after head coach Matt Eberflus said there are jobs on the line.
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