Malcolm Jenkins, Philadelphia Eagles. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
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
The details of Jenkins’ contract with the Saints have not yet been revealed, as it has only been reported that he is going back to New Orleans in his impending free agency. These details will be added as soon as they are known to the public.
National Reaction
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.
Since we don’t know the details of the contract or for how long Jenkins will be with the Saints, we can only view this potential signing through rose-colored lenses. Though there is a reason Philadelphia moved off him, Jenkins loves to prove people who doubt his playmaking ability wrong. This move also makes another NFC team worse, so good for the Saints in getting back Jenkins.