NFL Rumors: Bears Could Be Parting Ways With Offensive Tackle After One Season

The Chicago Bears could be cutting ties with another promising young player. This is after the Bears are allegedly getting calls and have held discussions regarding the second-year offensive tackle, NFL media reported.

Jenkins, the 39th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, has not exactly stood out with the Bears. He had a rough rookie season, missing 11 games after undergoing back surgery.

As of this writing, the 24-year-old has yet to participate in training camp, dealing with an undisclosed injury. In his absence, the one tasked to fill in the void is Larry Borom. The fifth-round pick of the 2021 NFL Draft has been getting the lion’s share of the time at the right tackle.

Jenkins struggled to fit in with the Bears, particularly their long-term plans. His situation got even more complicated when Chicago switched general managers in the offseason, CBS Sports reported.

Ryan Poles took over from Ryan Pace and the player preference was different. Instead of Jenkins, the Bears turned to Braxton Jones. Other players competing for the position include Riley Reiff, a veteran lineman who helped the Bengals reach the Super Bowl last year.

In the seven-year tenure of Pace, only six of the Bears’ first and second-round picks remain on the roster. They are Jenkins, quarterback Justin Fields, tight end Cole Kmet, cornerback Jaylon Johnson, linebacker Roquan Smith and left guard Cody Whitehair.

A gray area for Jenkins is his health state. Regardless, the Kansas native is expected to get his share of suitors if the Bears are inclined to trade him.

He is well-decorated, earning all-conference honors in his final year at Oklahoma State. He also won the program's Barry Sanders Award in 2018 and the OSU Thurman Thomas Award in 2019.