Here’s the latest update on a Teven Jenkins contract extension

Chicago Bears guard Teven Jenkins has a lot of fans, both in the stands and the Bears’ front office. Despite beginning his career with a rash of injuries, he’s become a tone-setter for Chicago’s offense and figures to be a big part of the team’s future.

To remain in those future plans, GM Ryan Poles must hammer out a contract extension before the former second-round pick hits free agency this offseason. If he does, Jenkins will be one of the most sought-after players on the open market. And with contracts for interior linemen getting more expensive every year, it’d be good business for Poles to get a deal done as soon as possible.

There’s a chance “as soon as possible” will be around the midseason mark. Teven Jenkins said Monday that the Bears informed his camp that contract talks would commence after Chicago’s bye week in October.

In June, Bears guard Teven Jenkins said that his agents reached out to the team regarding a contract extension but hadn’t heard anything. Today, Jenkins said his side was told they’d have to wait until after the Bears bye week (in Oct.) to have those talks.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) July 22, 2024

This is a positive development, considering that prior to this update, the Bears and Jenkins’ representatives had not spoken.

Jenkins has appeared in 31 games for the Chicago Bears with 24 starts since joining the team as the 39th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He earned the Bears’ highest Pro Football Focus grade among offensive linemen in 2023, a season in which he set a career-high with 731 snaps.

It isn’t easy to find starting offensive linemen who offer the tenacious physicality that Teven Jenkins possesses. It’d be a massive blunder if the Bears don’t get a deal done in October.

In Poles We Trust.