The fourth-year guard wishes to remain in Chicago as long as the Bears are willing to keep him. Jenkins is in the final year of his initial four-year rookie contract and is seeking a long-term deal.
During the offseason program, Jenkins informed the media that his representatives contacted the Bears to initiate contract discussions, but the team did not respond. Jenkins indicated that the situation was uncertain as of June.
As the Bears began training camp last Saturday, Jenkins provided a brief update on his contract negotiations with general manager Ryan Poles and the front office.
“From the last update I received, I’ll have to wait until after the bye week to resume discussions,” Jenkins stated on Monday.
The Bears’ bye week falls in Week 7 following their Week 6 game in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jenkins recognizes the pivotal role this season will play in shaping his future in the NFL. While he desires to continue with the Bears, the team is waiting to assess his ability to stay healthy throughout the season before considering a lucrative contract offer.
To prioritize his health, Jenkins has significantly increased his investment in personal care this year, hiring a chef, a personal physical therapist, and a massage therapist.
During his offseason, the Oklahoma State alum trained alongside Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz, whose recent four-year, $80 million contract extension Jenkins was delighted to see. “I’m thrilled for him to get that recognition,” Jenkins commented. “It’s a positive development for the market for guards in general.”
Jenkins hopes to achieve a similar payday after this season concludes but acknowledges the challenges and benchmarks he must surpass to realize that goal. His immediate objective is to stay injury-free and perform at an elite level through the Bears’ Week 7 bye, demonstrating consistent capability as envisioned by the team.
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