Malcolm Jenkins has been absent from Eagles workouts this offseason, as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Although the workouts are voluntary, it is uncharacteristic for Jenkins to miss them, so McLane posits that Jenkins could be angling for a new contract.
Jenkins is under club control through 2020 thanks to a four-year, $35MM extension he signed three years ago, but after the safety market famously stagnated in 2018, it came back with a vengeance in 2019. Jenkins is now the 10th-highest-paid safety in the NFL in terms of total value, full guarantee, and per-year average.
And while McLane concedes that Jenkins’ contract may accurately reflect his standing in the league’s safety hierarchy, he also notes that Jenkins’ per-year salary of $8.75MM is only 63% of the $14MM average for Landon Collins and Tyrann Mathieu, who both inked new deals this offseason. Though Jenkins, 31, is older than Collins and Mathieu, it would be difficult for Philadelphia to argue that he is only 63% as valuable.
Despite his age, Jenkins is about as durable as they come, his work ethic is among the best on the team, and he is still playing at a high level. The Eagles typically don’t add new money to a contract that has multiple years left, but McLane believes the team should be willing to make an exception for a player as important to its success as Jenkins.
Jenkins, though, may be content with the addition of incentives to his current deal, or perhaps with a restructure like the one he agreed to last year that gave him more guaranteed money upfront. It is difficult to know at this point, because Jenkins and his representation have declined comment, and the Eagles don’t comment on a player missing non-mandatory training.
If Jenkins is still a no-show for the team’ OTAs in a couple of weeks, that would give us a better indication of Jenkins’ mindset.
So comparing him to a 25 and 26 yr old Safety? Really doesnt work that way. He got more than Weddle’s Ravens deal and current paid more than Weddle on his new deal. For an age comparison I would use him, if he was paid less than Weddle money needs to be reworked. He is appropriately paid.
Jenkins is much better at this point in his career than Weddle is. Weddle’s instincts are still there, but his athletic ability just isn’t. Still serviceable, but I can understand why the Ravens let him go.
Weddle is 34 and Jenkins is 31. If Weddle got more, gripe. Everyone paid more than him is younger or is Kam Chancellor.
You were the one who brought up Weddle as a comp. I agree he shouldn’t be paid Collins or Mathieu money, but he is hugely important to the Eagles, and the market is what it is. Maybe he’s not even looking for more money right now, we’ll know more in a few weeks.
Yes bc the bracket of ages Weddle would be the older end, Collins the younger end. Younger guys getting paid more older guys paid less and Jenkins is in the middle. If he was paid less than an older guy like Weddle he would have a contract gripe. Everyone that just got a big contract is younger by 2 or more years. He is an important cog of the defense, yes, but saying hes 60% underpaid as the article puts out… it’s like okay he has 1 or 2 prime years left versus 4, 5 or 6 from Collins/Mathieu.
As an avid Cowboys fan, I will say this guy is a stud and should be paid accordingly
Isn’t it at least possible that this isn’t a contract thing? Maybe naive…
that’s okay Malcolm, i think you’re good
malcom “clown” jenkins has always been, and always will be about himself. me first
Maybe he’s getting ready to run for
President like the other Dem. clowns
k
Well the age difference isn’t really a great factor into the argument but he is better than Collins and Mathieu so…