EAGLES LEGEND MALCOLM JENKINS HINTS AT A POSSIBLE RETURN TO THE NFL

By Brian Cass

November 29, 2022

 

With CJ Gardner-Johnson scheduled to miss substantial time after sustaining a lacerated kidney Sunday night, the Eagles may look to the free agent market to help mitigate the loss of their starting safety.

Looking at the current pool of free agent safeties and practice squads around the league, there aren’t many obvious routes for the Eagles to go. But, there is one former Eagle who’s hinted at a possible return to the NFL.

Last week, Malcolm Jenkins appeared on John Clark’s "Takeoff” podcast to talk Eagles and all things football. During their conversation, Clark and Jenkins joked about a possible Eagles homecoming. Jenkins, however, seemed pretty serious.

Malcolm Jenkins on possibly returning to the Eagles

"I don’t think [the Eagles] need me, to be honest,” Jenkins told Clark. "But, you know, you ask me that in December, I don’t know.”

For context, this episode was released last Wednesday, prior to CGJ’s injury. If Jenkins was asked if he’d come back to Philly now, who knows what his response would be.

"I can still play if that’s what you’re asking me, John. I can still play. I’m still in shape. I’m still working out. You know, it’s not far fetched. I’m still in it.”

Back in March, Jenkins officially retired from the NFL at age 34 after 13 seasons in the league. Jenkins joined the Eagles in 2014 and spent six seasons in midnight green, earning three Pro Bowl nods and, of course, helping the team win Super Bowl 52 in the process.

After leaving Philadelphia during the 2019 offseason, Jenkins was still a productive player. He started all 32 games for the New Orleans Saints from 2020-’21, totaling 122 solo tackles, four interceptions, and one defensive touchdown.

At 34 years old and fresh off a productive 2021 season, there’s no reason to doubt Jenkins if he were to re-enter the NFL. He’s obviously past his prime, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be able to help mitigate the loss of Gardner-Johnson in the Eagles secondary.

There’s precedent for this type of signing, too. Just last season, the Rams convinced S Eric Weddle to come out of retirement for their playoff run after the team sustained a handful of injuries at the position. In turn, Weddle appeared in every postseason game for LA, racking up 18 combined tackles and playing every defensive snap in the NFC Championship Game as well as the Super Bowl.

Will Howie Roseman shoot his old pal a call? It depends how high the team is on undrafted rookie Reed Blankenship, who was impressive Sunday night in CGJ’s absence. Nevertheless, Jenkins is a proven commodity who, at the very least, could provide some much-needed depth at the position for the Eagles postseason run.

https://thelibertyline.com/2022/11/29/eagles-legend-return-to-the-nfl/

Just bring him back. He could play a pretty vital role whilst CJGJ gets healthy. And to be honest I'm not sure CJGJ is going to make it back during the regular season. 

Between the ears he's elite. Now his speed and quickness might be another story. Bring him in, test him, and if he can still move at the necessary speed play after play, sign him. He could mentor the youngsters to help them improve their game as well. Now, if he's lost too many steps to be effective, thank him and move on. Don't need a liability starting at Safety in a playoff run.

12 hours ago, PoconoDon said:

Between the ears he's elite. Now his speed and quickness might be another story. Bring him in, test him, and if he can still move at the necessary speed play after play, sign him. He could mentor the youngsters to help them improve their game as well. Now, if he's lost too many steps to be effective, thank him and move on. Don't need a liability starting at Safety in a playoff run.

Only catch is, the Saints still own the rights to his contract.  We’d have to work out trade compensation with NO in order to acquire/sign him after he "unretired”.

I know we’re a bit thin at S now … hopefully CJGJ isn’t out for more than a couple games.  Meanwhile we have Marquis’s Blair on the practice squad who has 4 years of playing experience between Seattle and Carolina … he can be called up for a few weeks to serve as depth.  

25 minutes ago, time2rock said:

Only catch is, the Saints still own the rights to his contract.  We’d have to work out trade compensation with NO in order to acquire/sign him after he "unretired”.

I know we’re a bit thin at S now … hopefully CJGJ isn’t out for more than a couple games.  Meanwhile we have Marquis’s Blair on the practice squad who has 4 years of playing experience between Seattle and Carolina … he can be called up for a few weeks to serve as depth.  

The return of CJGJ is the real deciding factor. We don't know how serious the laceration is. Is it a 3 week recovery? more? We don't know. If it's short, then yeah, get by with what we have, but if it's longer, then I don't see a problem with exploring every option. This team is poised for a good run in the playoffs and having as strong a roster as possible seems like the right way to go.

1 hour ago, PoconoDon said:

The return of CJGJ is the real deciding factor. We don't know how serious the laceration is. Is it a 3 week recovery? more? We don't know. If it's short, then yeah, get by with what we have, but if it's longer, then I don't see a problem with exploring every option. This team is poised for a good run in the playoffs and having as strong a roster as possible seems like the right way to go.

No doubt, I completely agree with that.  Regarding acquiring Jenkins specifically, I am definitely not opposed to it ... I suppose it all comes down to what NO would be looking for in return.  IMO it's most definitely not worth giving up a day 1 or 2 pick.  Shoot I wouldn't even want to give up a high day 3 pick.  And we are a bit light on 2023 picks currently with no picks in rounds 4-6 (although with having two 1s there is potential to add more if Howie decides to use one to trade down but obviously can't trade picks we do not yet have).  Best case scenario is CJGJ is only out for a couple weeks and we can roll with what we have (**fingers crossed**).  I actually think Blankenship may be a better option (than CJGJ) this weekend ... he may not be the same playmaker CJGJ is but I think he is a more reliable tackler - that should come in handy against a team that is more run-focused.  

1 hour ago, time2rock said:

No doubt, I completely agree with that.  Regarding acquiring Jenkins specifically, I am definitely not opposed to it ... I suppose it all comes down to what NO would be looking for in return.  IMO it's most definitely not worth giving up a day 1 or 2 pick.  Shoot I wouldn't even want to give up a high day 3 pick.  And we are a bit light on 2023 picks currently with no picks in rounds 4-6 (although with having two 1s there is potential to add more if Howie decides to use one to trade down but obviously can't trade picks we do not yet have).  Best case scenario is CJGJ is only out for a couple weeks and we can roll with what we have (**fingers crossed**).  I actually think Blankenship may be a better option (than CJGJ) this weekend ... he may not be the same playmaker CJGJ is but I think he is a more reliable tackler - that should come in handy against a team that is more run-focused.  

100%. Blank should be good till we get to Dallas.