The New Orleans Saints are finalizing a contract with free agent safety Malcom Jenkins, whose option for the 2020 season was not picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this week. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport first reported the news. Jenkins originally entered the NFL as a Saints first-round draft pick out of Ohio State.
Jenkins started all 96 games that he played with the Eagles since leaving the Saints back in 2014, taking charge of the locker room and leading a defensive secondary that dealt with a lot of instability at cornerback. He also won Super Bowl LII with Philadelphia, his second championship victory (having helped the Saints do so in Super Bowl XLIV, his rookie year).
While Jenkins was known as an undisciplined player in his first run with the Saints, struggling to communicate with teammates whether in slot coverage or in single-high looks at free safety. But he really found his groove in Philadelphia and should help the Saints tighten up coverage on the back end.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Saints have worked so quickly to bring Jenkins back into the fold. Sean Payton has spoken often about what a mistake it was to let Jenkins walk away in favor of a huge free agent contract for Jairus Byrd, and the team tried to acquire him in a trade several years ago when they were looking to move wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
So while this deal is not finished just yet, ESPN’s Field Yates confirmed that it is in the works and should be completed soon.
