New Orleans Saints to sign Malcolm Jenkins: Grade, reaction and more
By John Buhler
After spending the last six years with the Philadelphia Eagles, Malcolm Jenkins is going back to where it all started by joining the New Orleans Saints.
Years ago, the New Orleans Saints made a regrettable decision by letting safety Malcolm Jenkins leave after the 2013 NFL season. He went on to win another Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles and making three trips to the Pro Bowl in six seasons. However, it seems as though Jenkins will be making his triumphant return to the Big Easy after all.
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Jenkins is expected to sign a deal with the Saints in his impending free agency after the Eagles announced on Tuesday they would not be exercising his option for the 2020 NFL season. Jenkins was a former first-round pick out of Ohio State by the Saints in the 2009 NFL Draft, winning a Super Bowl as a rookie in New Orleans.
Entering his age-32 season, the Saints are betting on Jenkins still having plenty left in the tank. He has evolved as a playmaker in the defensive backfield during the last half-dozen seasons with the Eagles.
Jenkins will bring tremendous leadership and a veteran presence to a Saints’ secondary loaded with former Buckeyes standouts.
Here are the contract details, the national reaction and a grade for Jenkins returning to the Saints.
Contract Details
Update: ESPN’s Jordan Schultz reports it will be a four-year deal worth $32 million, up to a maximum of $35 million, with $16.25 million of that being fully guaranteed. Jenkins will reportedly be under contract with the Saints through the 2023 NFL season at which he’ll be 35-years-old. He will average at least $8 million annually throughout the life of this new contract he just signed.
National Reaction
A feel-good return in New Orleans: Former #Saints S Malcolm Jenkins will be now be current #Saints S Malcolm Jenkins. pic.twitter.com/vW1Ze4anid
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2020
The #Saints have agreed to terms with safety Malcolm Jenkins, per source.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 18, 2020
The terms are as follows:
Four years, $32M - up to 35 max - with $16.25 guaranteed.
Back where it all started. @MalcolmJenkins @Saints pic.twitter.com/LX7DLkgLZC
— NFL (@NFL) March 18, 2020
The Saints are nearing a deal with S Malcolm Jenkins, as @RapSheet reported. Jenkins started his career with the Saints, playing five seasons there before his time in Philly. Elite leader and productive player.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 18, 2020
Drew Brees, Thomas Morstead and Malcolm Jenkins are the only three active players left from the Saints' Super Bowl team.
— Rod Walker (@RodWalkerNola) March 18, 2020
Now they are all back together.
This move is met with praise by the national media. The homecoming story always tugs at media members’ heartstrings. Perhaps Jenkins can help Drew Brees win one more Super Bowl before he retires here soon? Jenkins is set to re-join Brees and punter Thomas Morstead as the only holdovers from the Super Bowl Championship team from the 2009 season.
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Though it is a longer deal than expected, the Saints have locked up presumably the tail-end of Jenkins’ prime. It’s at a fair number and he’ll provide the veteran presence needed to hopefully get the Saints over the hump and back to the Super Bowl. By joining the Saints, his departure from the Eagles makes Philadelphia’s second worse. The Eagles have to be kicking themselves right now.