Eagles Clearly Miss Malcolm Jenkins

by Marc Narducci | Dec 9, 2020

Of all the moves the Eagles did or didn’t make, one they could regret the most is not bringing back safety Malcolm Jenkins.

Besides being an outstanding player, Jenkins was known as one of the top leaders both in the football locker room and the community.

He was like a coach on the field and always highly dependable.

Jenkins, who turns 33 on Dec. 20, had one year left on his Eagles contract and was scheduled to make $7.6 million. He had told the Eagles he wasn’t going to return unless he got his contract extended. The Eagles released him, and he became a free agent.

Jenkins then signed with the New Orleans Saints, the team he broke into the NFL with. According to Spotrac.com, he signed a four-year, $32 million deal, with $16.5 million guaranteed. His guaranteed money ends after the first two years and it is possible that is as long as he stays in New Orleans, but no matter how long he remains with the Saints, expect Jenkins to be an impact player.

The Eagles secondary could have used Jenkins’ leadership and skill. Instead, it is the Saints who are benefitting.

Through 12 games, New Orleans had the best record in the NFC (10-2). Jenkins has 60 tackles, two sacks, nine pass break-ups and two interceptions.

And he is always dependable, somebody coach Sean Payton knows will always be there. Jenkins spent six years with the Eagles and he never missed a game.

During three of his six seasons with the Eagles, Jenkins made the Pro Bowl, in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

He was the leader of the Super Bowl winning team in 2017.

Jenkins is among the most intelligent players. The Eagles were able to move him all around on defense, playing at times more like a linebacker.

There will be a lot of stories this week written about Jenkins since New Orleans visits the Eagles on Sunday.

The Saints are serious Super Bowl contenders. The Eagles are 3-8-1 while playing in the NFC East, the worst division in the NFL.

Jenkins was a first-round draft choice out of Ohio State by the Saints in 2009. As a rookie during the 2009 season, he played on the Saints only Super Bowl winning team.

He has been to the playoffs six times, three with New Orleans and three with the Eagles. Jenkins will be heading to the postseason for a seventh time, since the Saints were the first NFL team to clinch a playoff berth.

Jenkins has been a big winner throughout this career. This week we will be hearing a lot of stories about Jenkins and a constant theme will be that the Eagles haven’t been able to make up for his departure.

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Author: Marc Narducci

Eagles Clearly Miss Malcolm Jenkins

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