Birds breakup with Jenkins after ‘incredible six-year relationship’
Malcolm Jenkins got what he wanted Tuesday, the Eagles handing the 32-year-old safety a oneway ticket out of town after declining to give him a raise.
The Eagles also got what they wanted in signing safety Rodney McLeod to a thrifty two-year contract as they continued addressing a laundry list of defensive needs in free agency, which formally begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Cornerback Jalen Mills and quarterback Nate Sudfeld signed one-year contracts Tuesday as the Eagles warmed up for the main event.
The Jenkins divorce took the edge off the Eagles’ splash addition in free agency, Javon Hargrave. In a tour at nose tackle with the Pittsburgh Steelers Hargrave helped supply the interior push enabling T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree to record single-season highs in sacks last season. It’s just the kind of dirty work the Eagles got when Timmy Jernigan, himself a free agent, was healthy.
That said the Eagles took a step back Tuesday in moving on from Jenkins, who was coming off one of his most productive seasons despite playing on a defense full of holes, especially in the secondary.
Jenkins, for several rea
sons, was adamant about not playing for the Eagles this season without a contract he considered worthy of his value. He was due $7.6 million in 2020, about half of what the top tier safeties around the league are being paid.
The Eagles didn’t think Jenkins was worth it. By not exercising his 2020 contract option Tuesday, the Eagles gave one of their last major locker room leaders a chance to strike a deal with any team. Just four defensive starters are under contract from the Super Bowl LII championship team.
“Malcolm Jenkins has been an outstanding player for us, and we are proud of everything he accomplished both on and off the field during his time in Philadelphia,” read a statement furnished by the Eagles. “Malcolm was a great teammate and leader, as well as one of the toughest and most reliable players to ever play in our city. After thorough discussion with Malcolm and his agent, Ben Dogra, both sides agreed on the difficult decision to turn the page on what was an incredible sixyear
relationship. We wish Malcolm and his family all the best as he pursues his next opportunity.”
Jenkins saves the Eagles almost $8 million against the salary cap.
McLeod’s two-year deal is said to be worth $12 million. He had a decent 2019 season even though he wasn’t all the way back from torn knee ligaments. McLeod logged 108 tackles, trailing only Jenkins.
While a tweet from ESPN suggested Mills would move to safety, that’s hardly etched in stone. Mills’ strength is using his strength at the line of scrimmage. He’s a sucker for a double move, and that along with a lifelong career at cornerback could make him a liability as a safety.
The Eagles also intimated Mills would get a look at safety, their website saying he “has the skills to play cornerback, his position the first three seasons, and safety.”
Versatility aside, the Eagles could use a starting caliber cornerback, another safety, a starting linebacker and a pass rusher in free agency and the late April draft.
The answer at cornerback could involve a trade for 29-year-old Darius Slay,
an established talent now under contract to the Detroit Lions. Most of the remaining free agent corners are in their 30s.
Though the Eagles let Nigel Bradham go, he’s the best linebacker left on the free agent market with skills suiting the Philly defensive scheme.
Jenkins far and away is the top safety in free agency. The next-best talent under 30 is HaHa Clinton-Dix, who doesn’t stick around teams for long.
On the other side of the ball the Eagles need a starting wide receiver, another running back, an offensive lineman and an experienced veteran quarterback.
The wide receiver position almost certainly will be addressed in the upcoming draft. Even if the Eagles don’t move up from the 21st pick to select Cee Dee Lamb, Henry Ruggs or Jerry Jeudy, there’s plenty of depth at the position to find a future top receiver.
There should be running back help available on the second day in D’Andre Swift and J.K. Dobbins.
While it’s still hard to fathom the Eagles completely moving on from offensive tackle Jason Peters, who’s available in free agency, the team must
have some level of comfort in Andre Dillard or Jordan Mailata protecting Carson Wentz’s blind side.
Don’t be surprised if Josh McCown returns to back up Wentz, assuming the 40-year-old vet’s hamstring heals.
Jenkins, on the other hand, played in every game in six seasons with the Eagles. He was a leader who rallied teammates on the field, and an activist off it as he relentlessly pushed for reform in the justice system.
Late Tuesday night Jenkins put out a statement thanking Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie for the opportunity to play for the club and “the warriors in the community that fight for a better Philadelphia.
“And I thank the fan base for embracing me as your own,” Jenkins wrote. “I hope that I am leaving having given more than I have received. That has always been my mission and I hope I represented you all well.”
Jenkins encouraged teammates to get involved in the community, whatever that may be.
For the first time in seven years, the Eagles will begin the league year without him.