Bears signing 39-year-old LT Jason Peters to compete for starting job

The Bears’ offensive line situation has deteriorated to the point that they’re bringing in a 39-year-old at left tackle.

Granted, Jason Peters isn’t just any 39-year-old. He’s a 17-year veteran with nine Pro Bowl selections. His agent said he agreed to terms with the Bears on Saturday.

The obvious question: Is this move because the Bears are concerned about second-round pick Teven Jenkins? He was the clear starting left tackle on paper but has been dealing with a back injury for months and hasn’t practiced during the preseason.

“It really doesn’t have anything to do with Teven,” coach Matt Nagy said. “It’s more about familiarity with a guy that’s played in this league for a long time and been very good.”

Peters started eight games for the Eagles last season but was on and off injured reserve because of a toe injury. Still, Nagy said he looked good on tape — at least good enough to fight for a spot with the Bears.

“He’s coming in here to compete to be the [starting] left tackle,” Nagy said. “It’s open, man. It’s competition. He understands our situation.”

The Bears have been without Jenkins, right tackle Germain Ifedi (hip) and right guard James Daniels for at least a week. They started Elijah Wilkinson at left tackle Saturday and Lachavious Simmons, a seventh-rounder last year, at right tackle.

Wilkinson has played on the right side most of his career, so the Bears could shift him there if Peters takes over at left tackle.

Peters earned his first of two All-Pro selections in 2011, when Nagy was an Eagles offensive assistant and Bears offensive line coach Juan Castillo was the defensive coordinator.

Several starters sit

While the Bears played many of their first-stringers, even Khalil Mack for a few snaps, they held several starters out.

Wide receiver Allen Robinson, who practiced through a minor hamstring injury during the week, was out along with linebackers Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan, safeties Eddie Jackson and Tashaun Gipson, cornerback Desmond Trufant and receiver Marquise Goodwin.