Chicago Bears: 5 players most crucial to Justin Fields’ success
By Ryan Heckman
Chicago Bears left tackle Teven Jenkins will be big for Justin Fields in 2021
One of the most startling numbers from the Ohio State offensive line last season was their 8.4 percent sack rate. The Buckeyes ranked in the top 10 in most offensive line categories last year except for this area. Their sack rate allowed was ranked 103rd in FBS.
That says a lot about the Buckeyes’ tackle play, due to most sacks generally coming from edge rushers. If Fields was still able to do what he did last season while getting sacked at that high of a rate, imagine what he’d have done if he was kept a little more clean.
That’s where Teven Jenkins comes into play. Jenkins has said from day one that his number one priority is to keep his quarterback clean. If Fields doesn’t have to worry about his blind side, that will open things up more than he’s seen in the past — even as he transitions from college to the NFL.
Jenkins is supposed to be a franchise left tackle at this point. That’s what the Bears drafted him to be. If he can become that type of player from the get-go, Fields’ chance of success early on is much greater.