McLeod ready to lead a rebuilt secondary
There was $17 million on the table, a franchise used to success and an opportunity in 2016 for Rodney McLeod to fit snugly into the Eagles’ secondary.
All of that may have been enough for him to leave the St. Louis Rams as a free agent. But one more lure was necessary: He could share safety responsibilities with Malcolm Jenkins.
“I wanted to learn from Malcolm,” McLeod said Friday on a conference call. “But now, for us, we have to move forward.”
The Eagles were aware of the bonding effect Jenkins had in the secondary, but also conscious of the money he wanted to earn and his age. So they allowed the veteran leader to fade into free agency and rebuilt their secondary.
Among the reasons
they were comfortable was that McLeod had learned enough from Jenkins to be properly trusted to knock down passes and any clubhouse issues.
He’s 29, still in his prime and a useful free safety. He’s also willing to accept fill some of the leadership void left when Jenkins returned to New Orleans.
“We’ve got to move forward,” McLeod said. “And for myself, being a leader on this team for some time, I will of course be asked to step up, with some other guys, from a defensive standpoint. We are prepared for that. And guys will be willing to step to the plate and accept the challenge.”
Anyone in particular? “Myself,” he said. “First and foremost.”
That’s what McLeod agreed to after listening to some cold calls during the recent NFL legal tampering period before re-signing with the Eagles for two years.
In a rebuilt secondary including newcomers Darius Slay, Nickell Robey-Coleman and Will Parks, McLeod can provide stability. Last season, he started all 16 games, playing 100 percent of the defensive snaps and making two interceptions. That was after he’d played just three games in 2018 because of a knee injury.
“There is really no telling what this secondary can look like,” McLeod said. “I think everybody has a very unique skill set. Everybody is very versatile and very competitive. And that’s what you want. You want to create that competitive atmosphere, particularly in the secondary room. Depth is our friend and I am excited to get out there and compete with everybody.
“That’s the great thing about this game. You get the chance to compete with one another and make each other better.”
McLeod is grateful that Jenkins had that effect on his career.
“I learned a lot from him, not just on the field, but off the field as well,” McLeod said. “The way he played. The way he handled himself. What he did in the community for the city. I’ve always admired him. And it’s hard to match. His legacy will live on.
“The Saints are getting a good guy.”
The Eagles paid a record price for cornerback Darius Slay. With that, they plann to move Jalen Mills to the strong safety spot vacated by
Jenkins, thus fitting McLeod with a new partner.
“My relationship with Jalen is pretty good,” McLeod said. “He came here in 2016, like myself. That transition to safety should be easy for him. It’s something that he did in college. He’s a physical player. He’s a smart player, which you need at the safety position. And he plays with a lot of passion and energy. He’s a perfect fit.”
The Eagles believe they have upgraded their secondary. As for a possible leadership drain, they believe they have addressed that, too.
“At the end of the day, I wanted to stay here in Philadelphia,” McLeod said. “It’s a city that has really embraced me and that I love dearly. I had a chance to make an impact here. And I want to continue to do that. I want to build.
“The reason we play is to bring championships. And I am looking forward to doing that as well.”