Chicago Bears: Teven Jenkins needs to grow up and make a decision

The first week of Chicago Bears training camp is in the books, and we have yet to see second-year offensive tackle Teven Jenkins.

At first, it was a mystery as to where Jenkins has been. Head coach  Matt Eberflus had told reporters he’s “working through” something with the training staff, alluding to a possible injury.

Now, if that’s the case, then fans are likely worried that the injury bug won’t go away with this kid anytime soon. Coming out of Oklahoma State, Jenkins had known back issues, yet Ryan Pace still drafted him.

But, David Kaplan of NBC Sports has a different thought on the Jenkins issue. He took to his YouTube channel to describe what can only be explained as a character problem.

Teven Jenkins needs to decide if he wants to be a big boy, or leave the Chicago Bears hanging.

From the get-go, there was a feeling that the new regime didn’t like Jenkins. Now, after hearing that he is “wildly immature,” things are starting to make more sense.

There was an article published in Sports Illustrated two years ago in reference to Jenkins and a conversation he had with his college head coach, Mike Gundy. In that conversation, Gundy talked about Jenkins needing to put his mind to it and working really hard if he wants to become a staple in the NFL.

"“‘You know Teven, can you name the one person in this weight room that’s worth $40 million?’ He looks at me like I’m trying to give him a haircut or something,” Gundy said on Monday recounting a conversation from this summer. Heck, maybe it was last summer. “And he says,’ No.’ And I said, ‘You, if you decide to work really hard. If you decide to just say you know what, I’m gonna do it. You’re that guy.’ That’s the kind of talent that he has. If he just gets his mind focused on that’s what I want to do.“"

The longer these feelings go on about Jenkins, the more and more it’s becoming apparent that this kid needs to make a decision — a life decision.

Is Jenkins going to be another Isaiah Wilson? The guy whose career was over before it began, just because he simply didn’t love playing football and had maturity issues?

If he isn’t careful, that’s exactly who Jenkins could become; just another guy who had loads of potential, but didn’t love the game and couldn’t grow up.

Right here, and right now, Jenkins needs to make a decision. It’s time to be a big boy, grow up and be there for his team. If he was indeed permanently demoted to the second team, then Jenkins needs to get his mind right and battle it out in camp for a position on this roster.

There’s no doubt Jenkins is a talented football player. But, the mental aspect of this grueling game, long offseason work and putting in the time day-in and day-out is something that some people take for granted. If Jenkins isn’t at the necessary maturity level, then he has to figure it out immediately. It’s time for him to make a decision, not just for his sake, but for his teammates’.