'If moving parts on the offensive line during the offseason program are a sign of things to come, you’re going to need a scorecard to track things when Chicago Bears training camp opens,' writes BradBiggs.
If moving parts on the offensive line during the offseason program are a sign of things to come, you’re going to need a scorecard to track things when Chicago Bears training camp opens and honest-to-goodness competition and evaluation begins in the trenches.to draft in Round 2 a year ago, running with the second team at right tackle.In practice sessions previously open to media, Jenkins had been with the starters on the right side with Larry Borom, a fifth-round pick in 2021, at left tackle.
One of the other moves was switching from Sam Mustipher at right guard to Dakota Dozier, a 31-year-old who primarily has been a backup in his career. Right guard figures to be up for grabs when training camp opens, and it makes sense not to simply hand a job to Jenkins, who underwent back surgery during his rookie season and was limited to six games, two starts and only 161 snaps.
While the coaching staff is mixing and matching, there is no way to spin this early development as a positive for Jenkins. It’s worth wondering if he’s considered a good fit for a team that is going to run a lot of outside zone and play-action. The Bears could have questions about his movement and ability to climb to the second level and play in space.
Jones has no ceiling, and it would be a tremendous development if he proves to be a legitimate challenger for playing time sooner rather than later. Jenkins no doubt will have a chance to run with the starters in training camp, which is when the coaching staff and front office can begin to make more nuanced decisions regarding where everyone fits and what the depth chart, which will be fluid through August, should look like.But this should not be viewed as a motivating tactic. A second-year player who missed most of his rookie season doesn’t need that.