When Malcolm Jenkins became a free agent following the 2019 season, there were only a few teams he considered playing for.
The 12-year NFL veteran, who’d won his second Super Bowl ring with the Eagles said he his goal was to play for a contender and a team with a good culture.
“And obviously no better team than that than the Saints in my book,” Jenkins said. “Somewhere that's very familiar. I know the staff, I know the city, and a lot of people that are here I know what they're about. And so if I wasn't going to finish off in Philadelphia then the Saints were obviously my best option and a decision that I'm glad happened."
The Saints had equal if not greater interest in signing Jenkins, who New Orleans selected with a first-round draft pick on in 2009, as head coach Sean Payton said he’s always regretted letting Jenkins “out of the building.”
“That was a mistake and so when the time came, I think I just sent them a direct message and I think his response was great. And then it was like, here we go,” Payton said. “There's a football element, there's an intelligence element, every ounce of him I like and I say that not because he was part of our Super Bowl team, but man, he is good in the locker room, he is someone I think has great experience now. But he was a smart player when he arrived and played very well as a nickel in year one. That part was easy."
Now back with the Saints, Jenkins currently ranks second on the team with 62 tackles and two interceptions and has helped New Orleans’ defense become the top-ranked defense. Jenkins and the Saints are set to face his former team in the city he calls home Sunday at 3:25 p.m.
“I’ve given myself, everything I've got into that community, invested a lot into that community and it's given the same love back to me so that city holds a special place in my heart,” Jenkins said.
Philadelphia still has a lot of respect for the former Ohio State standout.
“He brought a ton, a ton of leadership,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. “Obviously, his play speaks for itself on the football field, helped us win a championship here. But, his leadership, both on and off the football field, I haven't really seen that from a player in a long time and it's a lot of credit to him. Because he cares about the community that he's living in or where he's from and he always represents that well."
Jenkins said he's excited to get a chance to play his former team.
"I wish fans were allowed," he said. "We've been locked away here for a long time. It's been a minute since I've seen my family so to be that close to home (and) not be able to touch and feel your family is a little tough, but I'm excited man. Obviously, accomplished a lot in that building, I've got a lot of friends that'll be on the other side. I'm really looking forward to opportunity to compete."
