ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter through a gigantic wet blanket over the positive momentum offensive lineman Teven Jenkins has been building over the last couple of weeks. The 2021 second-round pick made his first-ever start at right guard in Week 2's preseason win over the Seattle Seahawks, and by most accounts, has played his way into serious consideration for a starting job in 2022.
According to Schefter, his instincts are telling him something very different.
"I still think (Teven Jenkins) will be traded," Schefter said Saturday on ESPN 1000's Peggy and Dionne Show. "My belief is they'll wind up trading him before the final roster cutdown day or right around there, if not before."
To be fair, Schefter didn't cite any sourced information for his opinion. But when Schefter speaks, you have to listen.
"My guess would be that he is not a Bear this season," he said.
Maybe this is why the Chicago Bears have kicked Jenkins inside. Maybe they've received some light trade interest from teams that want film of Jenkins playing guard. Maybe the Bears are trying to increase their return on a Jenkins trade by showing he has position versatility.
Or maybe Schefter is off the mark, and Jenkins has resuscitated his career with the Bears.
“You don’t put a ceiling on him. Let him grow,” Eberflus said of Jenkins last week. “Let him do his thing because some people mature and grow at different times. And all of a sudden, they just grow into a player, they grow into a really good NFL player. And that’s for any position. We’re never going to put ceilings on guys.”
The Chicago Bears added veterans Michael Schofield and Riley Reiff to the roster on the eve of training camp and both were expected to open the season as starters. Right tackle Larry Borom appears to have moved ahead of Reiff, while Jenkins looked like he was in a battle with Schofield at right guard. Perhaps, though, it's nothing more than smoke and mirrors.
We'll find out what's true on August 30, when the Chicago Bears have to trim their roster to the final 53-man squad.