Tag: bears offensive line

Bears host 2 prominent offensive linemen for pre-draft visit

The Bears are set to host Alabama’s JC Latham and Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson this week.

A couple of top offensive line prospects are heading to Halas Hall this week to meet with the Chicago Bears ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. According to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter, Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham is set to visit with the Bears on Tuesday night and Wednesday. Meanwhile, Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson was in Lake Forest on Monday, according to his Instagram.

Latham spent the last two seasons as Alabama’s starting right tackle, where he allowed just two sacks. He’s considered to be one of the top tackle prospects this year, trailing Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, but in the same conversation as Penn State’s Olu Fashanu and Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga. Latham is the second offensive tackle the Bears have brought in on a top-30 visit, along with Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton. Given his young age yet vast experience, Latham is someone the Bears could consider at No. 9 overall.

As for Powers-Johnson, he is the consensus top interior offensive lineman available and is a near lock to be selected in the first round. Powers-Johnson is someone who is more than capable of coming in right away and contributing as a team’s starting center, a position the Bears had trouble with over the last couple of years. It feels unlikely general manager Ryan Poles would pull the trigger on Powers-Johnson at No. 9 overall, but he’s a prime candidate to monitor if the Bears find a way to trade down.

With just over two weeks to go until the draft, the Bears are working hard to finalize their draft board, and more visits could still be on the way. But given their recent activity of wide receivers, edge rushers, and offensive linemen, it feels likely that one of those positions will be a priority after they select their quarterback at No. 1 overall.

10 Takeaways from the Bears 23-17 win over the Titans

From Trevis Gipson’s dominant day to Velus Jones’ continued struggles, here are our takeaways from Saturday’s Bears preseason victory.

The 2023 preseason started with a bang for the Chicago Bears, who defeated the Tennessee Titans 23-17 in a wild game at Soldier Field. It was an exciting start for both teams as three touchdowns were scored in the first four possessions.

Following a long opening drive by the Titans to go up 7-0, the Bears responded with not one, but two long touchdown catch and runs by the first-team offense to lead 14-7. Once the reserves took over, each team played hot potato with the football, committing a total of five turnovers in the second quarter.

In the second half, the Bears put the clamps down on the Titans offense. The defensive line gave Tennessee’s offensive line fits and the Bears offense did just enough to retake and hold onto the lead as time expired. Head coach Matt Eberflus remained perfect in the preseason and the Bears escaped with no major injuries.

Even though it was just a preseason game, there was plenty to learn from what the team did at Soldier Field. Here are our takeaways from Saturday’s victory.

Bears 2023 training camp preview: Offensive line

Our next Bears position preview is the offensive line, a group that will look very different than it did in 2022.

Chicago Bears training camp is less than a month away, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.

We’re unveiling our Bears 2023 training camp position previews, where we’re breaking down every player by position and examining the biggest question facing the group.

Rounding out the offensive side of the ball is the offensive line, a group that only has one projected starter playing the same position they played in 2022. Braxton Jones is back at left tackle but the rest of the line has done more shuffling than the 1985 Bears.

Teven Jenkins and Cody Whitehair were both prominent starters in 2022 who are now playing new positions, while newcomers Nate Davis and Darnell Wright were added to anchor the right side of the line. Meanwhile, players like Lucas Patrick and Larry Borom are now backups after entering last year’s camp as starters.

Here’s a closer look at the Bears’ offensive line heading into training camp.

Bears OL Teven Jenkins says he’s playing left guard in 2023

Teven Jenkins told Twitter he’s moving to left guard for the 2023 season.

It sounds like Teven Jenkins will be playing at a new spot on the offensive line when the Chicago Bears begin the 2023 season. Just ask him yourself.

On Sunday, the third-year offensive lineman was asked on Twitter where he was going to play this upcoming season. Jenkins responded with a link to a tweet by Bryson Stricker saying he would be moving to the left side of the line.

Stricker tweeted the move following the Bears’ signing of former Tennessee Titans guard Nate Davis last month during free agency.

Plans can always change and the Bears haven’t been shy about tinkering with their offensive line throughout the offseason since general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus were hired. But if the move takes place, it will be Jenkins’ third position change since coming into the league in 2021.

Jenkins was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the expectation of playing left tackle under former general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy. Injuries limited him to just a few games late in the year with up-and-down results. When the new regime took over last year, they tried him at right tackle before settling at right guard in training camp to begin the season.

Right guard appeared to be the best landing spot for Jenkins as he excelled at the position. He allowed just two sacks according to Pro Football Focus and was consistently effective as a run blocker. Injuries ended his season prematurely and now he will begin a new year at yet another new position. Davis, meanwhile, will start at right guard, where he’s played every year since coming into the league back in 2019.

Jenkins has shown the versatility to play wherever he’s needed and has the attitude to back it up. “I’ll play wherever they need me,” Jenkins told reporters last spring. “Get in where you fit in.” He’ll have his shot to fit in at left guard, which has been occupied by Cody Whitehair for the past few seasons.

This means Whitehair could move to center, which Poles suggested a few weeks ago in a press conference, or perhaps the two will battle it out to see who comes out on top at the position. Regardless, it will be another position for Jenkins to learn this offseason.

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15 Most Impactful Bears of 2022: No. 6 Teven Jenkins

Teven Jenkins was a man without a position in August and became the best lineman on the team. He’s our No. 6 Most Impactful Bear of 2022.

The Chicago Bears wrapped their 2022 season, where they finished 3-14 and lost their final 10 games of the year. But the future is bright heading into this 2023 offseason, as GM Ryan Poles has the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, a boatload of salary cap space ($118 million) and a franchise quarterback in Justin Fields.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be counting down our 15 Most Impactful Bears for the 2022 season. We’ll recap their 2022 season and look ahead to how they factor into 2023.

Coming in at No. 6 is Teven Jenkins, a player who was seemingly without a position in August, but wound up becoming the team’s best offensive lineman by October.

Bears OC Luke Getsy not interested in moving Teven Jenkins back to tackle

Teven Jenkins has found a home at right guard on the Bears offensive line and Luke Getsy wants to keep him there.

Chicago Bears offensive lineman Teven Jenkins had an eventful training camp over the summer that resulted in him moving from tackle to guard due to injuries and ineffectiveness at the position. The result has been Jenkins excelling at his new spot and he seems to have found a home on the interior of the offensive line. But could he make a return to tackle at some point given the uncertainty at the position? Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy doesn’t seem inclined to make such a move.

Getsy, speaking with reporters on Thursday, addressed a question posed regarding Jenkins’ future on the offensive line and if there’s any interest in seeing what he can do back at the tackle position. “I think he’s a guy who could do it but I think what is most important is that he continues to grow at what he’s at,” said Getsy. “I think moving inside this year gave him an opportunity to find himself and I think he has. He’s done a really nice job of owning that role and has an opportunity to be a really good guy on the inside. So I don’t think there’s any interest to try and move him somewhere else, but I think he’s capable of doing that.”

Jenkins was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State as the team’s future left tackle. He was injured for most of his rookie season, however, and only saw a limited amount of playing time near the end of the year.

This offseason, he seemed to fall out of favor early with the new regime as trade rumors surrounded him early in training camp. But he embraced a position change following the team’s first preseason game, replacing veteran Michael Schofield, and hasn’t looked back.

Jenkins has played 11 games at right guard in 2022, allowing just two sacks on the season and is the highest-graded player on the Bears offensive line, according to Pro Football Focus. He is a menacing run blocker and improved in pass protection as the season has progressed.

Jenkins may have come into the league as a tackle, but he’s clearly found a home at guard and it sounds like the Bears are happy keeping him there. Now they will need to see if someone like Alex Leatherwood, another high pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, can be a solution next to Jenkins at right tackle over these final four games.

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8 impact players to watch in Bears’ wild-card game vs. Saints

The Bears are looking to shock the world with a win over the Saints. Here are 8 players to keep an eye on during Sunday’s wild-card game.

The Chicago Bears will be playing playoff football for the second time in three years. But to avoid their second one-and-done postseason, they’re going to need to play their best game against the No. 2-seeded New Orleans Saints.

For the Bears to pull off the ultimate upset of wild-card weekend, they’re going to need some big-time contributions from some of their biggest players.

Here are eight players to keep an eye on as the Bears face the Saints in the wild-card round.

The Bears might’ve found their center in Sam Mustipher

Bears center Sam Mustipher has a chance to become an important leader and mainstay on Chicago’s offensive line.

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The Chicago Bears offensive line has several several different arrangements this season due to injury and reserve/COVID-19 list designations. But there seems to be one silver lining amidst the struggles on the offensive line, which is the emergence of Sam Mustipher.

Mustipher signed with the Bears in 2019 as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, and through some woes on the offensive line has gotten his chance to shine. And he’s taken full advantage of it.

“He’s got a big heart, very smart, very competitive,” said offensive line coach Juan Castillo. “You know, guys like that, sometimes all they need is an opportunity. And that’s what he has, and so far, he’s making the best of it. I think he’s good for the group. The way he plays is like a construction worker, pounding away every play.”

Chicago’s coaching staff has been quite impressed with Mustipher, who saw his second career start at center on Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers.

Mustipher’s first start came in replacement of starting center Cody Whitehair. Unfortunately for Mustipher he suffered a knee injury that kept him sidelined for two games. But he returned to the starting line-up alongside Whitehair. Only Mustipher lined up at center while Whitehair kicked out to left guard.

Now, Mustipher has a chance to become an important leader and mainstay on Chicago’s offensive line.

“When we got here, I talked about [him] putting on weight,” said Castillo. “He was about 305 or so, and now he’s 320 pounds. There’s a difference, you know. 10-15 pounds make a big difference, you know. And he’s done all the extra work.”

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10 Bears players to watch in Week 10 vs. Vikings

The Bears will face the Vikings looking to break their three-game skid. Here are 10 players to keep an eye on.

The Chicago Bears have fallen from grace. After starting 5-1, they’ve lost three straight games and went from potential top seed in the NFC to “in the hunt” for the postseason. Now, they have a must-win game ahead of the bye week.

The Bears will face the Minnesota Vikings looking to break their three-game skid. Here are 10 players to keep an eye on as the Bears face the Vikings in Week 10.

Chicago Bears sign OL Eric Kush to practice squad

The Bears added some much-needed depth at offensive line with the return of a familiar face in iOL Eric Kush to the practice squad.

The Chicago Bears added some much-needed depth at offensive line with the return of a familiar face.

The Bears have signed interior offensive lineman Eric Kush to the practice squad, the team announced on Tuesday. Kush previously played for Chicago back in 2016-18.

Kush has experience in Matt Nagy’s offense and can play either center or guard. Chicago has released Aaron Neary from the practice squad in conjunction with Kush’s addition.

The Bears have had major issues on the offensive line over the last few weeks, particularly when it comes to injuries. They lost left guard James Daniels a few weeks ago to a torn pectoral muscle, and right tackle Bobby Massie landed on injured reserve with a knee injury expected to sideline him at least a month.

But the Bears also dealt with a COVID-19 scare as center Cody Whitehair and reserve tackle Jason Spriggs both tested positive for the virus, which sidelined them last week. Back-up center Sam Mustipher also missed last Sunday’s game with a knee injury. Although Spriggs has since been activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Bears started Alex Bars at center and seventh-round rookie Arlington Hambright against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and they were encouraging in their first starts.

Still, Chicago’s struggles on the offensive line remain one of the biggest concerns on this team. It’s been evident in their run blocking — with the Bears the worst run game in the league — and in pass protection — with a statuesque Nick Foles.

The addition of Kush provides a little stability should Chicago’s offensive line struggles continue.