The Cleveland Browns had a lot of players from last year that a lot of fans wanted GM Andrew Berry to re-sign and retain.
Safety Ronnie Hickman comes to mind. So did linebacker Devin Bush. Perhaps punter Corey Bojorquez. Offensive guards Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio. Maybe DT Shelby Harris.
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Several of the names listed did indeed sign a contract going forward, just not with Cleveland. Others haven’t signed because negotiations are ongoing with the player’s
agent and a new team.
But the Browns did re-sign a player they believe will be a part of the key to the success of their newly-stalled offense: OG Teven Jenkins.
Jenkins is not a new player, but one who was on the roster in 2025. He came to the Browns during last year’s free agency period.
Who is he? What does he offer the Browns?
Beginnings
Jenkins grew up in Topeka, Kansas, which sits about an hour-and-a-half west of Kansas City. His mother, Bridget Cushinberry-Razo, was diagnosed with breast cancer when he was just three years old, and after he turned eight, she passed away. Teven has a tattoo to honor her. His father, Brad Jenkins, then raised him and his brother Jaylen. The three moved frequently, living in different houses and apartments.
He attended Topeka High School, and he and his brother played baseball, basketball, and football. He was already 6’-6” tall and weighed around 300 pounds. Needless to say, college scouts noticed him as an offensive tackle. He could bench 360 pounds, squat 440 pounds, and clean jerk 285 pounds.
As a junior and also in his senior year, Jenkins was named to the Topeka Capital-Journal All-City 11 squad, All-Centennial League, and voted 6A All-State. Jenkins was also recognized for making the academic honor roll all four years of his high school career.
He had offers from Missouri, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, and Kansas State. He chose to play for head coach Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State. Jenkins played in all 12 games as a true freshman instead of being redshirted. He was lined up at right tackle and also played some right guard. He was a starter along the offensive line on the field goal team.
As a sophomore, he was off and running, starting all 13 games. Jenkins played eight games at left tackle and five at right tackle. Oklahoma State’s offense was nationally ranked in the Top-15, including an average of 190.3 rushing yards a game. That year, four games developed 200 rushing yards or better. He was named Honorable Mention All-Big 12.
In his junior year, he started all 12 games: nine at right tackle and three at left tackle. Their offense averaged 229.6 rushing yards a game, and their star running back, Chuba Hubbard, led the FBS in rushing yards and was named Big-12 Offensive Player of the Year and ended up with the Carolina Panthers. Jenkins was voted the Thurman Thomas Award, given out annually to the team’s most outstanding offensive player, and named Honorable Mention All-Big 12.
The 2020 season was shortened because of the pandemic. Jenkins started all seven games in the condensed schedule. He was named First Team All-Big 12 and played six games at right tackle and one contest lined up at left tackle. Jenkins was voted Honorable Mention Big-12 Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Jenkins was invited to the Combine and had these stats: 40 – 5.01, vertical jump – 32.5”, broad jump – 106”, 20-yard shuttle – 4.68, bench press (225 pounds) – 36, wingspan – 81”, hand size – 9.5”, and arm length – 33.5”.
On to the NFL
Jenkins was a heralded offensive guard with a draft grade of late Round 1 to somewhere in Round 2. He was the 39th player taken in the 2021 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. That is early in the second round.
His scouting report on NFL.com:
“NFL-ready frame with broad chest and thick lower half. Jenkins not only plays with excellent upper-body power and hand strength, but he also combines it with a desired level of body control and athleticism to create a consistent, toolsy talent. His instincts and processing serve him well in quickly sifting through moving pieces. He can be an intolerant run blocker, looking to finish and bury his opponent once he gets his block locked and centered. Jenkins has good tackle tape, but his short arms and average range in pass sets could be something to keep an eye on. Whether it is at tackle or guard, Jenkins has the talent to become an early starter and a successful pro.”
Before he was selected, there were four offensive tackles taken, one offensive guard, and one center. He was listed as a tackle when his name was called. He had a great rookie training camp but was placed on IR after injuring his back. He played in the final six games at left tackle and blocked on field goal and punt teams.
The following year, he was switched to right guard and started 11 games before a neck issue placed him back on IR. Before the subsequent season, the Bears coaching staff moved him again, this time to right guard, but he injured his calf and was on IR for the first six games. He then started the 11 final matches. In his final year with Chicago in 2024, Jenkins started 14 games.
His rookie contract was about to expire, and the Bears prioritized other options along the offensive line, including the arrival of Joe Tuney and Jonah Jackson. Continuous injury concerns were a reason they allowed him to sign elsewhere.
His perceived value in free agency was projected at around $8-$9 million a season. Instead, Cleveland signed him to a one-year deal worth $4 million, and he was inked on the second wave of the free agency period when many agents lower their expectations for their clients.
The viewpoint on Jenkins is that he can be an excellent player at the guard position, that is, when he’s healthy. A running joke in Chicago was that Jenkins was constantly nicked up and then sat out games. Bears’ fans loved to hate on him. However, the truth is that Jenkins did his best to stay on the field where he was an absolute force.
The meanness and effort Jenkins would bring on game day were phenomenal. Yes, he was hurt more than anyone wanted him to be. Some athletes are injury-prone, and it’s nothing they want or foresee.
With the Browns last year, he was listed as the backup to both guard positions. He became the starter at right guard for the final five games after RG Wyatt Teller became injured and was placed on IR after reaggravating a calf injury. He also played offensive line on the field goal team.
Jenkins had zero penalties and sacks during that five-game span and allowed 14 pressures.
He has played in 62 games with 42 starts at left tackle, left guard, and right guard during his five-year NFL career. On the second day of free agency last week, Berry re-signed Jenkins to a one-year, $4 million contract. He is the favorite for the right guard spot and will compete with Zak Zinter and Jack Conley.
Jenkins and his wife, Sydney, have a daughter and a newborn son. His X account is @tevenjenkins, while his Instagram is @tev785.
