Chicago Bears 2017 free agency: Team signs DL John Jenkins
The Chicago Bears added depth along their defensive line by signing defensive lineman John Jenkins.
Just because the first days of free agency finished doesn’t mean the signings are over. The Chicago Bears, still with plenty of cap space, added depth to the defensive line by signing John Jenkins.
Jenkins is huge at 6-foot-3, 359 pounds. He helps plug up the middle of the line. He provides much-needed help against the run, which was a sore spot for the defense in 2016.
Jenkins has connections with general manager Ryan Pace. Pace was Director of Player Personnel in 2013 when the New Orleans Saints drafted Jenkins in the third round. He was also a teammate of Akiem Hicks when both played in New Orleans.
In 2016, he split time between the Saints and the Seattle Seahawks. He recorded 13 tackles in 9 games. He had his best season in 2015 when he had 49 tackles in 14 games. Perhaps if his weight gets down he should be more effective. In that 2015 season, he weighed 329 pounds and moved better.
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No, this is not a big splashy signing. It won’t affect how they approach the draft much. It is, however, a solid one. Jenkins provides help for Eddie Goldman. Last season, he suffered a high ankle sprain that bothered him for most of the season. He had to be thrown in because of the lack of depth along the line, and that prevented him from healing properly.
While Pace hasn’t had the big headline-grabbing signings during this free agency, he’s been busy. Jenkins is now the ninth players signed, along with nine other players re-signed from last season’s rosters. After last season’s debacle caused by injuries, the Bears want to make sure that depth is important. After the draft, the Bears should have better depth on the roster.
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The Chicago Bears will field a mighty different team from 2016. It appears to be a more athletic and deeper roster. Pace’s fingerprints are more visible on this team, and how this period turns out goes a long way to determining his fate in Chicago.