The Eagles took care of their quarterback on Thursday, handing Carson Wentz a four-year, mega-extension that could pay him as much as $144 million.
Now it is time to take care of the quarterback of their defense.
Wentz's deal is the more expensive one, but how the Eagles handle the current contract situation of safety Malcolm Jenkins is arguably just as important. The Eagles had time to sign Wentz, controlling his rights through the 2020 season. Wentz has been practicing all offseason and appeared ready to play in 2019 without a new deal if needed. The price might have gone up (or down) but the tension around the situation likely wasn't going to.
The same can't be said for Jenkins, who has been skipping voluntary OTAs this offseason in an attempt to get a new contract.
Unlike Wentz, the need to address Jenkins' contract is much more immediate. Mandatory minicamp starts on Tuesday, and if Jenkins isn't there — which feels like the likely outcome — an already tense situation could turn ugly quickly.
The last thing the Eagles need right now, especially after cutting a massive check to Wentz, is an issue with Jenkins. The quarterback is the most important position in sports, but on the Eagles, Jenkins is almost as important as Wentz. Jenkins has been critical to the team's success over the last two seasons, not missing a single meaningful snap while being arguably the most important player on the defense. The Eagles need Wentz to win for his new contract to be a success, and for the Eagles to win, they are going to need a happy, healthy and motivated Jenkins.
There is also the locker room to consider when deciding what to do with Jenkins.
Who you pay matters and who you don't pay doesn't go unnoticed by players in the locker room. Not working with Jenkins on a new deal, who has without question earned it, could open some eyes in the locker room. Players don't care about getting a potentially cap-friendly deal or signing a quarterback to a contract that could turn into a bargain. They care about results and having guys they need lined up next to them on Sundays. Jenkins has checked off both boxes in a major way while also being the unquestioned leader of the team.
It is hard to imagine there is a single player in the locker room who doesn't think the Eagles should pay Jenkins to get him back in the building. Instead they are likely wondering what the hold up is. Jenkins' absence was felt at OTAs and it will be magnified next week at mandatory minicamp if he isn't there.
After handing Wentz a massive check, what the Eagles do with Jenkins is now even more important and will be watched even closer.
The Eagles have always been a franchise that has shown they take care of the players they value.
Jenkins, just like Wentz, should be one of those players.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
