After 13 seasons in the NFL, two-time Super Bowl champion Malcolm Jenkins is calling it a career.
The Saints safety and former first round selection of New Orleans in the 2009 draft announced his decision Wednesday morning on The Pivot Podcast, hosted by former NFL safety Ryan Clark.
“I think, for me, I’ve played the game at the highest level for 13 seasons. I’ve accomplished Super Bowls, Pro Bowls, all that there is to do in this game," Jenkins said. "When I came in I always wanted to make an impact on the game on and off the field, and I feel like at this point, I’ve accomplished that.”
While the decision wasn't a given, it should hardly come as a surprise. Following the end of the 2021 season, Jenkins told the media that once he hit 10 years in the NFL he considered retirement each offseason. That decision was to continue playing each year until this one, with Jenkins saying he placed a priority on leaving on his own terms and under his own power.
“That’s a huge blessing, and I don’t take that for granted, to be able to choose to walk away from the game, not a lot of guys have the opportunity," Jenkins said.
Jenkins entered the league as a cornerback and was a key member of the Saints' Super Bowl title in 2009, his rookie season. He shifted to safety the following season and played in New Orleans through 2013. He entered free agency the following offseason and landed in Philadelphia, where he was a part of another Super Bowl title in the 2017 season. He returned to New Orleans as a free agent in 2020 and formed an effective duo with safety Marcus Williams each of the past two seasons.
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Jenkins, a New Jersey native, wasn't sure which of those franchises he'd choose to retire as a member of, but he heaped praise on both. Philadelphia was where he was truly able to spread his wings, for lack of a better term, but New Orleans was the franchise that stepped up when he bet on himself to go get paid on what would ultimately be his final contract.
“It’ll be easy to say Philly. But then when I needed it most and I go out there and bet on myself to get paid, and I had to leave Philly to do such, New Orleans is right there to welcome me back home," he said. "And honestly the last two seasons with the Saints, those are the best defenses I’ve been on in my career, had the most fun in my career, which I didn’t really expect.”
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The Saints will now have to replace both ends of that safety duo with Jenkins' retirement and Williams' free agency departure to the Baltimore Ravens earlier this month. The Saints signed former Jets safety Marcus Maye earlier this offseason.
Jenkins' career will end with a totals of 199 games played, 1,044 tackles, 110 passes defensed, 21 interceptions, 20 forced fumbles and 7 defensive touchdowns.
Check back for updates.