By: Kylan Watson
At the end of last season, the Philadelphia Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman talked about the need to get younger and inject some young blood into the team. The new philosophy has been seen now as the Eagles have mutually chosen to release Safety Malcolm Jenkins. Jenkins was a player who was the heart and soul of the team.
Jenkins was a durable player during his six years as a member of the franchise. He never missed a game, was a three-time pro bowler, and a team captain. Jenkins’ football acumen helped the Eagles be able to read plays and led to some key defensive stops during his tenure.
Doug Pederson used Jenkins all around the field, he played some linebacker, corner back, and did everything the team asked him to do. He also was a key cog that help propel the Eagles to the franchise’s first super bowl championship in 2017.
Jenkins had one more year left on his contract, but last season he wanted a new deal and at the end of the season he said he would not be back under his current contract. Jenkins was about to make 7.6 million dollars. But, felt he outplayed his contract. Unfortunately, the Eagles and Jenkins just could not find a mutually beneficial deal.
Now the question remains for the Eagles what they are going to do for their beleaguered secondary. With the loss of Jenkins, they have lost their anchor. Rodney McLeod is also an unrestricted free agent. The Eagles did bring back cornerback Jalen Mills who will be making a change to safety. Outside of that there really is not a strong free agent market for the safety position.
The Eagles may seek to solve this problem via trade or through the draft, but while they may be able to replace the production of Jenkins. They will not be able to replace his place as the heart and soul of the team. Players like that can’t be found on the free agent market or in the draft. Certain players just can fill that spot. The Eagles have a tough road ahead of them as they try to remake the secondary, which was one of the weakest parts of the team.
