With OTAs on the horizon across the league, a former Chicago Bears defender has finally found his next home within the NFL after being on the open market for months.
Veteran defensive lineman John Jenkins just enjoyed two of the best seasons of his 12-year career as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. Now, he is taking his talents across the country to the East Coast, having agreed to a deal with the Baltimore Ravens.
The former University of Georgia standout enjoyed two separate stints in the Windy City, suiting up for the Bears' defense in 2017 and again in 2020. In 19 appearances for Chicago over those two seasons, Jenkins recorded 29 total tackles and one quarterback hit.
Jenkins enjoyed the best two-year span of his professional career as a member of the Raiders, which surely helped him lock up a position on one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl. After being a rotational piece for the bulk of his time as a pro, Jenkins broke out as a starter in Las Vegas, recording 107 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two quarterback sacks in 34 games.
In Baltimore, Jenkins will likely revert to the same role he was asked to play in Chicago. With veteran defensive lineman Michael Pierce having elected to retire, the 35-year-old Jenkins should be able to step right in and provide the Ravens with depth up front for the defense.
Bears fans will have the opportunity to see Jenkins up close again this season as Chicago is scheduled to travel to Baltimore to square off against the Ravens during Week 8.
With the Bears having reshaped their offense throughout the offseason, this will present the opportunity for Caleb Williams and company to show what they can do against what should be one of the league's better defenses.