247Sports Embed Resource
The Cleveland Browns have come to an agreement with free agent offensive lineman Teven Jenkins. Jenkins started 38 games over the past four years for the Chicago Bears. He was a second round pick in the 2021 draft. Formerly an offensive tackle for Oklahoma State, Jenkins has played a few different spots on the offensive line, most notably left guard for the Bears.
Jenkins started out as an offensive tackle in his rookie year with the Bears, playing six games and starting two at left tackle. They then moved him to right guard for his second year. There, Jenkins started 11 games, appearing in 13. 2023, he split time at both guard spots. Jenkins saw action at left guard for eight games and right guard for four. This past season, Jenkins started 14 games, all of which were at right guard.
With Jenkins heading to free agency, the Bears have transformed the interior of their offensive line. They traded for veterans, acquiring Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams and Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for draft picks. They also signed center Drew Dahlman to a lucrative free agent deal.
That cleared the way for Jenkins to leave and the Browns have made the move to add him to their offensive line room. With Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller both in their thirties and Bitonio playing his last season in the league, the Browns were going to be in the market to get younger at the position. They had drafted Zak Zinter in the third round of the 2024 draft. Jenkins, 27, would be another move toward that effort.
Jenkins has been a good player when he's on the field. The problem for him has been consistently remaining on the field. 2024 is the season in which he saw the most action, but he has dealt with injuries ranging from his back to his knee to his calf. Still, for a team that could use more depth and a potential option moving forward, the experience and high level play Jenkins brings to the table is a significant boost to the offensive line room.
Jenkins is the second big addition to the offensive line this offseason. The first was Cornelius Lucas, a highly regarded veteran swing tackle with quality starting experience at both left and right tackle.
The Browns also announced the re-signing of defensive back Tony Brown. Technically listed at corner, Brown's a special teams player, predominately a gunner. He has played slightly more corner in the NFL than Jenkins has and it's been poor. He does have excellent speed and has been with special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone both with the Browns and the Indianapolis Colts.
Stay tuned to the OBR for the latest in Cleveland Browns news.