As the 2025 NFL season draws closer, the Chicago Bears find themselves in a critical position. Having made strides in rebuilding their roster and establishing a more competitive team under head coach Matt Eberflus, the Bears are eyeing a potential return to playoff contention. A key factor in their success will be how they manage their roster heading into the future, particularly in terms of retaining key players.
One such player is a veteran lineman whose role and leadership have become indispensable to the team’s offensive line and overall progress. This player is **Teven Jenkins**, a guard who has emerged as one of the most important players on the Bears’ offensive line. As Jenkins enters the final stages of his contract and looks toward free agency in 2025, the Bears are faced with a tough decision: Can they afford to keep him, or will another team lure him away with a lucrative offer?
### Teven Jenkins: The Heart of the Bears’ Offensive Line
Teven Jenkins, drafted by the Bears in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, has proven to be one of the best and most versatile linemen on the roster. Originally selected as a right tackle, Jenkins struggled with injuries early in his career, which led to a brief position change. But he found his true calling when the Bears moved him to right guard, a position where he flourished.
Jenkins’ ability to perform well in both run blocking and pass protection makes him an essential piece of the Bears’ offensive line. His physicality, athleticism, and toughness in the trenches have earned him a reputation as one of the NFL’s premier young guards. Over the past few seasons, he has solidified himself as a cornerstone of the Bears’ line, and his impact on the field is undeniable.
Jenkins’ 2023 season was particularly impressive, as he played a key role in creating running lanes for the team’s running back committee and providing quarterback Justin Fields with much-needed protection in the pocket. Despite the offensive line’s struggles in years past, Jenkins’ presence gave a sense of stability to the unit.
In 2025, the Bears will need to address their offensive line, and Jenkins will be a pivotal part of those decisions. With a young quarterback like Fields who needs reliable protection and a balanced offense, losing a player of Jenkins’ caliber could be a significant blow to the franchise’s future.
### Why Jenkins Is So Valuable to the Bears
1. **Pass Protection Stability**: Quarterback Justin Fields is the centerpiece of the Bears’ offense, and his development is tied directly to the protection he receives in the pocket. Jenkins has excelled in pass protection, particularly in picking up blitzes and guarding against the league’s best pass rushers. In a division like the NFC North, where defenses like the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers feature powerful front sevens, keeping Fields upright is critical. Jenkins’ ability to guard against these pressures has allowed the Bears to maintain a solid offensive rhythm.
2. **Run Game Dominance**: The Bears have built their offense around a strong running game, one that can wear down defenses and open up play-action opportunities. Teven Jenkins is integral to this strategy. His strength, combined with his nimble footwork, has made him an ideal fit for the Bears’ zone-blocking scheme. Whether it’s paving the way for running backs like Khalil Herbert or rookie talent, Jenkins plays a critical role in opening holes in the defense. His physicality and willingness to finish blocks in the second level also help the Bears establish an identity as a run-first team.
3. **Leadership and Versatility**: Beyond his on-field production, Jenkins has developed into a key leader in the locker room. His experience, work ethic, and communication with teammates have helped bring stability to an offensive line that has experienced its fair share of struggles in recent years. Furthermore, his versatility, having played multiple positions along the line, gives the Bears flexibility in case of injuries or personnel changes. The team values versatility in its linemen, and Jenkins’ ability to play multiple spots makes him an even more valuable asset.
4. **Youth with Experience**: At just 24 years old, Jenkins is already one of the most experienced linemen on the Bears’ roster. His age gives the Bears a chance to lock him up for the long term, ensuring that he will be a fixture in the offensive line for years to come. While many teams may be looking for a veteran presence in the interior of their line, Jenkins is still young enough to be part of the Bears’ long-term plans, making him a rare commodity in the NFL.
### The Bears’ Salary Cap Conundrum
Despite Jenkins’ immense value, the Bears face a difficult salary cap situation in 2025. With a significant amount of money tied up in both veteran contracts and the expected extension for quarterback Justin Fields, the team will have limited cap space to work with. Several high-profile free agents, including Jenkins, will be up for renewal or extension, and the Bears may need to make tough decisions.
To retain Jenkins, the Bears will likely have to prioritize him over other potential free agents. While there may be tempting offers from other teams, particularly those with more cap flexibility, the Bears will have to decide whether Jenkins’ value outweighs the costs of retaining other players or signing new ones. Given the importance of protecting their young quarterback and maintaining stability in the trenches, Jenkins could very well be at the top of the team’s list of priorities for 2025.
The Bears may also have to get creative with their contracts to free up space. Extending Jenkins for multiple years with a structured contract that reduces his cap hit in the short term could be one avenue. Alternatively, they could look to restructure other contracts or let go of high-salary players in order to create more cap room for Jenkins.
### Why Other Teams Will Be Interested
Jenkins’ value is clear, and if the Bears fail to lock him up before free agency, many teams across the NFL will be lining up to sign him. Teams with young quarterbacks or those looking to revamp their offensive line could see Jenkins as a top target. His combination of youth, skill, and leadership make him a highly sought-after player in the league.
For instance, teams like the **Arizona Cardinals** or **Indianapolis Colts**, both of whom have young quarterbacks in need of protection, might be willing to throw large sums of money at Jenkins to help anchor their offensive lines. Similarly, teams in a win-now mode, such as the **Dallas Cowboys** or **Buffalo Bills**, may see Jenkins as a key piece to push their offensive line to the next level.
### The Bears’ Path Forward
If the Bears want to continue progressing as a competitive team and build around Fields, retaining Jenkins should be a top priority. The offensive line has long been a weak point for the Bears, but with Jenkins playing a pivotal role in its turnaround, losing him could set the franchise back.
The Bears’ front office must be strategic in managing the salary cap and finding ways to make Jenkins’ extension feasible. With the right financial moves, they can ensure that Jenkins remains a key component of their offensive line and continue to build a team capable of contending in the NFC North and beyond.
### Conclusion
Teven Jenkins has become a key player for the Chicago Bears and a foundational piece of their offensive line. As he approaches free agency in 2025, the Bears face a crucial decision: can they afford to let him walk, or will they prioritize his future with the team? The Bears’ offense depends on stability in the trenches, and Jenkins has proven he is capable of providing that. In a critical offseason, retaining Jenkins will be one of the most important decisions the team makes, and it’s a move they simply can’t afford to get wrong.