Teven Jenkins could be on the move. The Chicago Bears have “received calls and held trade talks” regarding the second-year offensive tackle, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Where could Jenkins end up if Chicago gives up on the 2021 second-round pick?
Best trade destinations for Bears OT Teven Jenkins
It’s not all that surprising that the Bears are reportedly open to moving Jenkins. Chicago has an all-new regime in place, including general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, neither of whom had any hand in making Jenkins the 39th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Jenkins missed almost all of his rookie campaign with a back injury, and he was quickly shifted from first-team to second-team at Chicago’s OTAs. He hasn’t practiced since training camp began, but the Bears haven’t specifically said he’s dealing with an injury. Instead, there have been suggestions that Jenkins isn’t meshing with the team’s new coaching staff, including OL coach Chris Morgan.
Having said that, NFL teams are always willing to take chances on pedigreed talent, and the Bears could likely recoup something — even if it’s only a Day 3 pick — for Jenkins on the trade market. Here are the teams that could express the most interest.
Los Angeles Chargers
The most glaring weakness in pro football is the Chargers’ right tackle spot. Los Angeles has revamped its front five through the draft (Rashawn Slater and Zion Johnson) and free agency (Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler), but they still need help at RT.
The Chargers are reportedly pleased with Trey Pipkins’ offseason work, and he looks like the favorite to win a competition with incumbent Storm Norton. Jenkins could give LA another option, but he wouldn’t be counted on to start right away. The 6’6″, 320-pounder could serve as the Bolts’ swing tackle while offering depth down the road.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers made some modest improvements to their OL over the offseason, but they still have one of the worst lines in the league. Pittsburgh could be decent on the interior after adding James Daniels and Mason Cole, but their tackle situation has the potential to be a nightmare.
Chukwuma Okorafor will remain Pittsburgh’s starting right tackle after inking a three-year, $30 million deal in free agency, and Dan Moore Jr. is slotted in on the left side. The Steelers aren’t going to upend Moore at LT after he started 16 games as a fourth-round rookie in 2021, but Jenkins would give them insurance in case Moore doesn’t show further development this year.
Las Vegas Raiders
And now we’ve come to a team that could actually deploy Jenkins as a starter in 2022. He wouldn’t be playing left tackle in Las Vegas, but Jenkins could theoretically be an upgrade over Brandon Parker at right tackle. The Raiders have needs all over their OL, so taking a chance on a lottery ticket like Jenkins wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.
The Bears and Raiders could even match up on a rare player-for-player trade. Like Chicago, Vegas has new decision-makers in place, and Josh McDaniels/Dave Ziegler may want to rid the roster of holdovers. Could the Raiders exchange defensive end and former No. 4 overall pick Clelin Ferrell for Jenkins?
Tennessee Titans
The Titans are staging a training camp battle at right tackle, and Dillon Radunz appears to have a leg up over rookie Nicholas Petit-Frere. If Tennessee acquired Jenkins, he could force his way into playing time on the right side, but he’d also become a potential long-term option at left tackle.
Taylor Lewan hasn’t completed a full season since 2017, and he’s missed 19 total games over the last years. He’s entering his age-31 campaign, and Tennessee can release him next offseason without incurring any dead money. The Titans’ front office has taken plenty of chances on young, injured talent in the past (Jeffery Simmons, Caleb Farley), and Jenkins could be next in line.