Should Extending Malcolm Jenkins Be a Priority for the Eagles?
Of all the free agents Philadelphia is considering retaining, Safety Malcolm Jenkins must be the team’s top priority.
Jenkins has been the heart and soul of this Eagles defense since his arrival from the New Orleans Saints. The Birds were able to sign Jenkins to a three-year, $16.25 million contract that included $8.50 million guaranteed during the 2014 free agency period. In his first season as the new starting safety for Philly, Jenkins recorded 80 total tackles alongside three interceptions, a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and a touchdown to cap off his 2014 campaign.
Jenkins quickly established himself as the captain of the defense. Prior to the 2016 season, the Eagles decided to extend Jenkins to a four-year, $35 million contract extension with $16 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $7.50 million. Jenkins also had a year remaining on his previous contract from 2014.
In total, Jenkins was due $40.50 million over the next five years.
This is where the issue lies…
Jenkins has publicly stated that he will not return to Philly, baring a new contract.
Jenkins is due $8.75 million over the last two remaining years on his deal, which only ranks 11th amongst starting safeties in the NFL.
Considering Jenkins did see a decrease in production in 2019, he still played 1,034 defensive snaps for the Birds. He has done this for consecutive years. Dating back to the 2017 postseason, Jenkins has played every Eagles defensive snap, tallying the total to 2,420.
In addition to becoming the “Iron Man” of the Eagles defense, Jenkins also has been the Pro Bowl 3 out of the past 5 years. An obvious Super Bowl 52 Championship is also included during Jenkins’ 5-year career resume as an Eagle. Adding to this stat, Malcolm Jenkins is the only man to have beaten both Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in the Super Bowl.
Before the start of 2019, Jenkins held out of Eagles training camp in hopes of receiving a new deal. After nothing had gotten done Jenkins once again went back to work and did not miss a single defensive snap. Jenkins also elevated his play during the Eagles last season push to the playoffs.
Jenkins has remained adamant about not returning to Philadelphia without a new contract. It has been rumored that Jenkins is seeking a 14 million a year. Although Jenkins play has slowly started to dwindle, not paying him would send a terrible message to the locker room. This Eagles defense needs their captain on the field.
Jenkins has clearly outperformed his contract and has earned the right to a higher salary, whether it is here in Philly or potentially somewhere else. If the Eagles do allow Jenk to sign elsewhere expect the backlash to feature fans and players of the team to be upset.
If Howie Roseman is able to bring back Malcolm Jenkins for a 2-year deal worth roughly $22-25 million, the Eagles organization should be content.
Imagine addressing the need of WR in free agency, and then being able to draft a Safety such as Grant Delpit out of LSU in the first round. Pairing Jenkins with young talent like Delpit will help the raw rookie develop and continue the tradition of strong safety play in the Eagles back-end.
There is a ton of talent the Eagles can look into at WR in the second-round such as Penn. State’s K.J Hamler. This is just a scenario if Delpit is still available, and top names like Henry Ruggs III and Justin Jefferson aren’t available for the Eagles with the 21st pick. Should the Birds trade UP in the first round for the player they want? That will be another topic, for another day.
Overall, Malcolm Jenkins is just too valuable to let walk.
Presumably, his contract will seem like a bit of an “over-pay” for a 32-year old Safety, but his impact on this team stretches beyond the football field. It is uncertain if the deal will get done of not, but hopefully whatever decision is made will be the right one for this football team moving forward.
Verdict: PAY THE MAN HIS MONEY!
Featured Image: ---
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
