The Chicago Bears are already exploring ways to upgrade their offensive line, and their top target is set to appear in his third consecutive Super Bowl.
On January 29, ESPN’s Matt Bowen ranked Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith as the second-best free agent heading into the offseason. Meanwhile, his colleague Jeremy Fowler linked the first-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl participant to the Bears.
“Some inside the league are watching Chicago here,” Fowler reported. “General manager Ryan Poles, who needs to drastically improve his interior offensive line for new coach Ben Johnson, was in Kansas City when the Chiefs drafted Smith. Several teams have him as the top overall free agent.”
Bears, Teven Jenkins Likely to Part Ways
Even if the Bears retain guard Teven Jenkins, Smith would still be a strong fit for Chicago. However, signs are pointing toward Jenkins and the team going in different directions.
Jenkins has shown flashes of elite-level play when healthy, but injuries have been a persistent issue throughout his four-year rookie contract, which concluded after the 2024 season.
Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) Mason Cameron ranked Jenkins as the 25th-best free agent in this class on January 22 and projected the San Francisco 49ers as his most likely destination.
“A series of nagging injuries plagued Jenkins’ 2024 campaign, but even still, he managed to produce well on the interior of this Bears’ offensive line. His 75.8 PFF pass-blocking grade stands as a career high for the 26-year-old guard after he allowed just a 3.8% pressure rate (also a career high),” Cameron noted. “The Niners nailed their selection of Dominick Puni in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft but still need to build up their interior. Adding Jenkins to the left side would complement both Puni at the other guard spot and Trent Williams on the outside.”
Bears Expected to Draft Offensive Guard to Pair with Trey Smith
While Jenkins has performed well, Smith has been even better, earning his first Pro Bowl nod in 2024. He is also one year younger than Jenkins, despite both entering the NFL in 2021—Jenkins as a second-round pick and Smith as a sixth-round selection by Kansas City.
Durability is another key difference. Smith has played in and started 67 of 68 possible regular-season games over the past four years, while Jenkins has appeared in just 45 contests with 38 starts.
PFF projects Jenkins to sign a three-year deal worth around $40 million, whereas Smith could command upwards of $80 million on a four-year contract—potentially after securing his third straight championship ring.
Even if the Bears invest heavily in Smith, they are expected to further bolster their offensive line. With three picks in the top 41 of April’s draft, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah predicts Chicago will use the No. 10 overall selection on Alabama guard Tyler Booker.
“I think Booker is one of the safest picks in the draft,” Jeremiah wrote on January 25. “He will help firm up the interior offensive line for Caleb Williams.”
