The Bears should pursue this Packers OL in the offseason

The Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers renew their rivalry this Sunday at Soldier Field. The Packers are in the middle of a highly disappointing season so there is not a whole lot on the line in this game.

Although, one of these teams will move into sole possession of first place on the NFL’s all-time victories list.

Packers quarterback and unofficial Chicago Bears owner, Aaron Rodgers has a broken thumb and left the Philadelphia Eagles game with a rib injury. His status for the game is unknown although Rodgers plans to play if he is medically cleared.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields is nursing a shoulder injury that kept him out of the Bears’ loss to the New York Jets. Backup quarterback Trevor Siemian played in that game with an oblique injury that nearly kept him from even playing.

There is a possibility of Jordan Love and Nathan Peterman starting at quarterback when the two rivals face off for the 206th time.

While this is normally the Chicago Bears fans’ version of the Super Bowl, the Bears currently have the second overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Beating the Packers could alter the Bears’ draft position. Taking a loss to the Packers in the grand scheme of things would not be all that bad.

The second pick is a prime draft slot for the Bears to hold onto because it would allow general manager Ryan Poles to get a massive draft-pick haul if he trades down to a team desperate for a quarterback. If he wants to stay at the second pick, he could take a game-wrecking defensive lineman.

The Chicago Bears have a lot of roster holes. They could use help at pretty much every position besides quarterback and running back.

The Bears will go into the 2023 offseason with over $125 million in salary cap space. That is a lot of money to spend on free agency and address the woeful offensive line.

The Bears should really consider bringing in this Packers offensive lineman.

Elgton Jenkins is set to hit free agency this offseason. He is a versatile lineman who can play both guard and tackle. He is ranked among the top 10 free agents available in 2023.

He has committed just four penalties and allowed just three sacks this season on an offensive line that has struggled to protect Aaron Rodgers.

Jenkins has played every position on the line except right guard. He made the Pro Bowl in 2020 as a left guard.

The Chicago Bears have Cody Whitehair at left guard but they could use Jenkins at either tackle position. Elgton Jenkins would be an immediate upgrade over Braxton Jones or Larry Borom. Plus, he is just entering the prime years of his career.

Jenkins has ties to offensive coordinator Luke Getsy from their days together in Green Bay. The only problem with Jenkins is he missed most of 2021 with a torn ACL and he has missed two games this season with injuries.

When healthy, Jenkins is a really good lineman. Signing an offensive lineman is not a headline-grabbing move but the Bears will not make any progress in 2023 if they do not upgrade the protection around Justin Fields.