The guard position could see multiple changes for the Bears this offseason. Teven Jenkins is a pending free agent, while Nate Davis‘ pact does not include guaranteed money after the 2024 campaign. 
Jenkins was eligible for an extension this offseason, and he attempted to start negotiations on a second contract. That effort was unsuccessful, though, which left the summer as a period for the 26-year-old to turn his attention on preparing for the 2024 campaign. A new commitment could still be worked out, but that may not be the case until after Chicago’s Week 7 bye.
Attempts on the part of Jenkins and his camp to agree to a new deal date back to the end of the 2023 season, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune notes. After a poor rookie season spent as a right tackle, the former second-rounder found success by moving inside to guard and in doing so demonstrated his potential as an extension candidate. Jenkins drew favorable PFF evaluations in 2022 and ’23, although his early showings this season have not been graded as well.
The guard market has seen positive movement in recent years, and four players at that spot are now attached to an AAV of $20MM or more. Jenkins will not approach that mark on a new deal, but a raise would be in store if he and the Bears were to engage in serious negotiations for a second contract. Regardless of if that takes place, though, Davis’ future in the Windy City appears to be on shaky ground.
The former Titan inked a three-year, $30MM deal in free agency but did not live up to expectations last season. Davis was limited to 11 games and earned the second-lowest PFF grade of his career. His evaluation through the current season has not been encouraging either, and a release next offseason (before or after June 1) would produce $9.5MM in cap savings while only generating a $2MM dead money charge. As Biggs notes, it would come as no surprise if Davis were to be let go this spring.
That would create one vacancy for a starting guard spot, but of course that number could jump to two if Jenkins were allowed to depart in free agency. Without any contract talks taking place for now, plenty is left to be determined over the coming weeks up front for the Bears. The team’s offensive line – a unit which, Biggs adds, could see Ryan Bates activated from injured reserve after the bye – will certainly be worth watching closely as the campaign continues.
Davis will be gone. If Jenkins was playing to the level he did in 22-23- and staying on the field, he’d be a lock. But he’s battling an injury again and for whatever reason, not playing well. He may wanna new deal, but I doubt it’s more than a 1-2 year offer from the Bears. Man, their O-line is weak this year.
The guys on the OL (like everyone else) have no idea where Williams will wander to on any given play, so that makes their job that much harder. Williams has perfected the backfield figure 8 to the point where he might be a good addition to the Olympic figure skating team.
Both should be gone. With QB and WR finally settled, Poles can finally expend his draft capital on the OL.
I think Pace & Flus are keeping Davis on the sidelines going forward, preserving his health for the chance to deal him before the Nov 5 deadline. Were Poles able to do that, I’d be convinced of his GM genius.
Nice to see Bill Murray get some run at LG when Jenkins exited, yet again. Maybe Jenkins could move back to RG when he returns. I think the Bears will have two rookie Guards starting in 2025.