{"id":134609,"date":"2022-08-06T20:34:03","date_gmt":"2022-08-07T00:34:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=134609"},"modified":"2022-08-06T20:44:41","modified_gmt":"2022-08-07T00:44:41","slug":"chicago-bears-teven-jenkins-trade-rumors-position-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2022\/08\/06\/chicago-bears-teven-jenkins-trade-rumors-position-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Bears OL Open to Position Change Amid Trade Rumors"},"content":{"rendered":"

The future of Chicago Bears offensive lineman Teven Jenkins<\/a> met with the media for the first time since earlier this year in the spring following practice on Saturday. Teammate Khalil Herbert<\/a> said that he joked with the former second-round pick that he hadn\u2019t seen him in pads since the last game of last season.<\/p>\n

A lot has changed since then.<\/p>\n

Chicago Bears OL Teven Jenkins Sends Strong Message Amid Trade Rumors<\/h2>\n

Clearing the Air<\/h3>\n

Jenkins has a relatively lofty draft pedigree, especially in Halas Hall as a former second-round pick and the first selection for the franchise in his particular class. In many situations, that would afford a player ample opportunity. However, an entirely new regime has pooled Jenkins with a group of veterans<\/a>, younger players, and even a rookie all vying for up to three spots along the front five.<\/p>\n

The expectation was still that Jenkins would be the team\u2019s right tackle<\/a> by the time camp broke.<\/p>\n

But back injuries and reports of maturity issues had seemingly gotten in the way of that opportunity, which Jenkins says he feels he has been given.<\/p>\n

His media session was mostly about dispelling some rumors that have popped up amid his absence. ESPN 1000\u2019s David Kaplan<\/a> reported that he was hearing Jenkins had been clashing with offensive line coach Chris Morgan<\/a> and had shown signs of immaturity.<\/p>\n

Jenkins addressed the rumors on Saturday.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom my understanding, i love the coaches we have no animosity towards each other. We talk every day. And, yea, that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked about responding to a fan<\/a> asking what was going on with him on Twitter, Jenkins revealed that too was about his relationship with Morgan and the coaching staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust one thing mainly that I was clashing with coaches. That was totally not true. And I wanted to tell everybody that you don\u2019t have to believe everything somebody says.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Proving Grounds<\/h3>\n

Jenkins said his belief in himself is why he thinks he can still win a starting spot. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy<\/a> also said Jenkins would \u201cbe in that mix<\/a>\u201d when he gets back into the flow. Jenkins said that he will continue with what head coach Matt Eberflus<\/a> calls a \u201cramp-up period\u201d that features a lot of individual work while the player works up to team drills.<\/p>\n

That starting spot may have to come somewhere other than left tackle where Jenkins would seem to be behind rookie Braxton Jones<\/a> \u2013 who left practice briefly on Saturday but soon returned \u2013 and veteran Riley Reiff<\/a> who was signed right before camp began. Reiff has also mixed in on the right side with Larry Borom<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gotta get better myself and work on myself\u201d, said Jenkins.<\/p>\n

Asked specifically about a potential position change, Jenkins said that he is open to a move inside to guard.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m willing to play wherever they want me. I want to be here in Chicago so I’m playing wherever they want me to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is still competition at right guard as well (Cody Whitehair<\/a> is the closest thing to a lock at left guard) with the Bears adding Michael Schofield<\/a> and mixing in Ja’Tyre Carter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But there were some who felt Jenkins would be a better fit at guard<\/a> during the draft process.<\/p>\n

Teven Jenkins Wants to Stay with Bears<\/h3>\n

Jenkins said he is happy in Chicago and that he expects to be with the Bears in the regular season. He also put himself around \u201c90%\u201d but did not expand when asked what exactly he was dealing with.<\/p>\n

He also confirmed Eberflus\u2019 account that he had been at Halas Hall working with trainers during his absence from practice.<\/p>\n

The 6-foot-4, \u201c321.8\u201d-pound lineman admitted to some frustrations over not being able to get out on the field sooner and that it is costing him valuable experience. But he acknowledged that it was \u201cfor the betterment of my health\u201d.<\/p>\n

David Montgomery, Running Backs Set to Lead the Chicago Bears<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n