One of the burning questions this offseason for the Chicago Bears has been how their offensive line is going to look when Week 1 finally kicks off in September.
Since the beginning of workouts, head coach Matt Eberflus has toyed with various combinations across multiple positions, most notably the line. Eberflus and the coaching staff have moved players around to try and determine where they might fit best.
That mantra continued into mandatory minicamp when rookie tackle Braxton Jones played with the ones as the starting left tackle, while second-year tackle Larry Borom played on the right side with Teven Jenkins backing him up. This was the same combination that was used last week during organized team activities. It was already a somewhat jarring switch but Eberflus hinted he may not be done tinkering.
Speaking with reporters following Tuesday’s practice, Eberflus was asked if it’s possible either Borom or Jenkins slides inside to the right guard position.
“All combinations are open,” Eberflus said.
“All combinations are open.” — Bears coach Matt Eberflus on playing Larry Borom or Teven Jenkins at RG.
That said, we haven’t seen either play guard in OTAs or today during the first day of minicamp.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) June 14, 2022
Before we get ahead of ourselves, no such move is imminent and as Adam Jahns of The Athletic points out, neither player has taken any snaps at the guard position during the offseason. But Eberflus is leaving the door open and if a position switch is on the table, it would be seen as disappointing, especially in Jenkins’ case.
After former general manager Ryan Pace traded up to select Jenkins in the second round during last year’s draft, the plan was to play him at left tackle, preparing him to become the key protector for fellow rookie Justin Fields’ blindside for years to come.
That plan failed to get off the ground. Jenkins wound up missing a considerable amount of time, undergoing back surgery last summer and only played in a handful of games late in the season. Though he had experience at left tackle in college, most evaluators tabbed Jenkins for the right side of the line and that’s where Eberflus and his staff have him, for now.
When it comes to Borom, his experience in college at both tackle and guard and his draft position make any potential move inside more palatable. He was drafted in the fifth round last year and played both tackle spots during the season due to injuries.
It’s interesting to note both Borom and Jenkins have arm lengths that measure just about 33 and a half inches long, which is on the shorter side for NFL tackles. For context, Jones has an arm length of over 35 inches long.
We know Eberflus and his staff are doing their due diligence to find out who on the line fits a particular position the best and Jones is far from a lock to be the starting left tackle. Seeing either Borom or Jenkins make the move to guard would be a surprise, but it still doesn’t sound likely at this point in time. Keep in mind the left guard position is already occupied by mainstay Cody Whitehair, leaving just one spot potentially open.
Injuries could change that, however, as guard Dakota Dozier was carted off the field during practice on Tuesday. Dozier is competing for that starting right guard position and his injury diagnosis is still up in the air.
Nevertheless, in Jenkins’ case, he’s game to play anywhere to help the team contribute.
“I’ll play wherever they need me. Get in where you fit in,” he told reporters back in April.
Time will tell if that mindset will be put to the test.
