While few had foreseen Malcolm Jenkins becoming a credible heir to Brian Dawkins, what shouldn't have come as a surprise after six prodigious seasons in Philadelphia was that his tenure would end in similar fashion to that of the Eagles great.
If Dawkins was once deemed expendable, then it can happen to anyone. In fact, when it comes to elite players synonymous with one NFL team ending their careers in other environs, it occurs more times than not.
Jenkins' circumstances were different than Dawkins' were more than a decade ago. He hadn't spend his entire career with the Eagles. He wasn't as accomplished. But he left an indelible mark, for reaching a level where he could be mentioned in the same breath as the Hall of Famer, and of course, for helping bring Philly its only Super Bowl title.
There has been a furor over his departure as a result. The Eagles surely understood they were more likely to be criticized than a popular player. But when Jenkins agreed to terms with his original NFL team in New Orleans last Wednesday, and the particulars of the contract were reported, it became increasingly clear why there was a divorce.
Jenkins declined to comment for this story, as did Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. Jenkins wrote a parting letter to Philly for The Players' Tribune, but he didn't go into great detail about his departure. The Eagles haven't commented on any of their moves since the new league year began last week under directives from the NFL.
They did issue a statement after they officially declined the option on Jenkins' contract for 2020. But aside from the expected platitudes about his contributions, the Eagles said only that the sides had mutually agreed to part ways.
While that is true to an extent, that was about all both sides could agree on during a yearlong dispute that started when Jenkins first expressed unhappiness with his contract. Sources close to both parties and familiar with their conversations paint a picture of inevitability once the Eagles declined to rework his deal last spring.
Both Jenkins and the Eagles had expressed some hope in January that he would return, but a separation was ultimately a foregone conclusion. What happened behind the scenes wasn't much different than what transpires before there is a split: a difference of opinion regarding value.
Jenkins didn't want top safety money or an average salary of $12 million to $13 million, as had been reported elsewhere. He was under contract with the Eagles for one more season at $7.6 million. He wanted a higher salary, of course, but what he wanted most was a two-year commitment.
The Eagles offered to "tweak" his salary for 2020, but that was far as negotiations would get this offseason. That was the indication to Jenkins and his people that he wouldn't get a new deal with guaranteed money in 2021, and they asked for his release before free agency.
Roseman tried to trade Jenkins to recoup something for the 32-year-old safety. But there wasn't a market because interested teams knew that if they waited, he would be available without forfeiting a draft pick.
A return to the Saints was Jenkins' preference, despite the bitterness he had felt when New Orleans didn't aggressively try to retain him during the 2014 offseason. Saints coach Sean Payton had said several times since that it was a decision he had regretted most.
Jenkins could have been willing to dangle himself to the highest bidder, but when the Saints offered a four-year, $32 million contract _ the most important component being that $16.25 million would be guaranteed in the first two years _ he was set.
In less than 24 hours after the Eagles announced Jenkins' exit, he had found another team, one that would face Jenkins' old team this year at the Linc and one that could stand in the way of that team when greater objectives are considered.
