Cubs News: Jenkins on Williams’ pocket presence, talks contract extension |
LAKE FOREST, I.L. - Offensive lineman Teven Jenkins has had difficulties staying healthy since the Bears drafted him in 2021. He has never played more than 13 games in a season.
But, knowing the time for a contract extension is coming, Jenkins is making more of an effort to keep his body in shape including eating healthier, getting physical therapy and looking into massages. “I made it vocal many times that I want to be here on (the) Chicago Bears and whatever I need to do (or) how much I need to pay forward to get it back in the backend,” Jenkins said. “That’s the determination I have to keep doing that and understanding that I need to spend more short-term to get more long-term for myself and my family.” Jenkins made an attempt during the offseason to discuss a contract extension with the Bears, but that was not successful. However, he provided an update saying that they would have to wait until after Chicago’s bye week in October to reconvene about his contract. In the meantime, he looks poised to be the starting left guard for the Bears in the upcoming season. There is one major question on the offensive line currently. Right now, Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton are both competing for the starting center position. “I love both guys as they’re still competing and everything. It’s different by fits, terminology. We try to stay on the same terminology,” Jenkins said. “So, that’s going to be easy and just different body types of those two and just being able to come together and understand maybe Coleman likes to slide a little bit more on a pass pro and Ryan likes to slide a little bit less, finding (those) little nuances between each other and understanding what’s going on.” The center to quarterback connection is incredibly important. So, the bright side of this battle is that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is building a rapport and chemistry with both centers. However, this is something that should be solved sooner rather than later. Another important dynamic between the quarterback and the offensive line is the cadence. In college, the verbal cadence is not commonly used; Williams used it in high school, but not during his three-year collegiate career. So, during organized team activities (OTAs), it was an adjustment for him to get back to using the verbal cadence. However, this is something that Jenkins says has been straightened out. He also stated that the Heisman-winner has shown impressive pocket presence during training camp thus far. “It’s ironed out right now. We’re doing really good on it and hopefully, we keep on continuing growing off that,” Jenkins said. “He’s sliding in the pocket, seeing the pressures and everything. So, I’m being really impressed by that.” Chicago’s offense is completely changed from last year, making Jenkins one of the only players to start last season and will this year as the Bears acquired a new quarterback, new receivers and a new starting running back in D’Andre Swift. Swift has gone a bit under the radar with all of the buzz about Williams and his receivers. Nonetheless, Jenkins said he is incredibly impressed with Swift and how he has performed in OTAs and training camp thus far. “I’m very impressed by Swift right now and it’s a lot of hard-nosed ball he does,” Jenkins said. “It’s very impactful what he’s going to do for offense and he’s very quick, speedy and he can run over you if he wanted to. So, that’s a lot of things that he brings to the offense. I’m very excited about it.” The first preseason game for the Bears is the Hall of Fame game on Thurs. Aug. 1 (7 p.m./ABC) against the Houston Texans. It is not known what starters, if any, will be playing in that game.
