Malcolm Jenkins
Malcolm Jenkins (born December 20, 1987) is a former American football safety who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons from 2009 to 2021.[1] Drafted 14th overall in the first round by the New Orleans Saints out of Ohio State University, he appeared in 199 regular-season games, recording 1,044 total tackles, 21 interceptions, and 13.5 sacks.[1] [2]
Jenkins secured two Super Bowl championships, first with the Saints in Super Bowl XLIV following the 2009 season and later with the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII after the 2017 campaign, to which he contributed nine tackles across the two appearances.[3] [4] His defensive prowess earned him three Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro recognition, including second-team honors in 2010.[2] Traded to the Eagles in 2014 after five seasons with the Saints, he returned to New Orleans for his final two years before retiring.[1]
Beyond football, Jenkins co-founded the Players Coalition in 2017 with Anquan Boldin to pursue criminal justice reform and improved police-community relations through targeted grants and policy advocacy, efforts that prompted the NFL to allocate nearly $100 million for social initiatives.[5] [6] This pragmatic approach contrasted with more protest-oriented activism, leading to public disputes within player ranks, such as with Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid, who criticized the coalition's compromise with league leadership over sustained demonstrations.[7] [8] His raised-fist gestures during the national anthem and reform advocacy also provoked backlash from police unions accusing him of anti-law-enforcement bias.[9]
Early life
Family background and upbringing
Malcolm Jenkins was born on December 20, 1987, in East Orange, New Jersey, to parents Gwendolyn and Lee Jenkins.[1][10][11] He grew up primarily in Piscataway, New Jersey, a community where Jenkins later reflected that his household stood out for its stability, noting, "My house was the only one with a steady father there."[10] Jenkins' upbringing emphasized discipline and hard work, influenced by his father's expectations; for instance, he was required to maintain the yard and perform additional chores as a child, instilling a strong work ethic from an early age.[12] His parents provided a supportive environment that prioritized responsibility, with his mother, Gwendolyn, later taking a leadership role in his philanthropic efforts as CEO of the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation.[13] This family structure offered resilience amid surrounding neighborhood challenges, fostering early traits of leadership through consistent parental guidance.[10]High school athletic career
Malcolm Jenkins attended Piscataway Township High School in New Jersey, where he competed as a two-way starter in football, playing wide receiver on offense and defensive back on defense.[10] [14] His contributions helped the Piscataway Chiefs secure three consecutive New Jersey state championships in 2002, 2003, and 2004.[10] [14] As a senior in the 2004–05 season, Jenkins amassed 27 receptions for 516 receiving yards, averaging 19.11 yards per catch.[15] He earned All-State and All-America recognition for his performance.[10] [14] Jenkins also participated in track and field, showcasing his speed and versatility in sprint events.[10] As a junior, he won the New Jersey state championship in the 400-meter dash.[10] His personal record in the event stood at 49.47 seconds, set during the NJSIAA Group Championships in June 2005, while he also competed in the 200 meters with a best of 22.19 seconds.[16] Additionally, he contributed to relay teams, including the 4x400-meter squad.[17] During recruitment, Jenkins, measured at 6 feet 1 inch and approximately 214 pounds, drew attention from college programs for his physical attributes, including track-honed speed, size for a defensive back, and on-field instincts as a versatile playmaker.[18] He ultimately committed to Ohio State University over in-state options like Rutgers, citing the Buckeyes' stronger competitive environment.[19] [20]Collegiate career
Ohio State University performance
Malcolm Jenkins enrolled at Ohio State University in 2005 as a true freshman defensive back, initially serving primarily as the nickelback and contributing on special teams. Over 11 games that season, he recorded 37 tackles (23 solo) while starting three contests at cornerback after an injury to a teammate, helping the Buckeyes secure a share of the Big Ten title and advance to the Fiesta Bowl.[21][22] As a sophomore in 2006, Jenkins transitioned to a full-time starting role at cornerback, amassing 55 tackles (40 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown), and 1 forced fumble across 13 games. His performance earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors and anchored a defense that allowed just 10.5 points per game en route to another Big Ten championship and a Fiesta Bowl berth, where Ohio State fell to Florida in the national championship game.[21][23] In his junior year of 2007, Jenkins continued starting at cornerback, logging 47 tackles (27 solo), 5 tackles for loss, and 4 interceptions (one for a touchdown) in 13 games, contributing to a defense that ranked among the nation's elite in scoring defense (10.1 points allowed per game). He played a pivotal role in the Buckeyes' undefeated regular season and Big Ten title win before their loss to LSU in the BCS National Championship Game at the Fiesta Bowl. Jenkins received second consecutive first-team All-Big Ten recognition for his efforts.[21][24] Jenkins capped his senior season in 2008 with 57 tackles (34 solo), 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles over 13 starts, solidifying his status as a lockdown defender in Ohio State's secondary during their Big Ten championship campaign. Across his four-year career (2005–2008), he started all 50 games played, accumulating 196 tackles (124 solo), 11 interceptions (159 return yards, 2 touchdowns), and 4 forced fumbles while helping the Buckeyes to four consecutive Big Ten titles and two BCS National Championship appearances.[21][25]Awards and draft preparation
During his senior year at Ohio State in 2008, Jenkins won the Jim Thorpe Award, recognizing him as the nation's top defensive back, after leading the Buckeyes with metrics including four interceptions and 55 tackles.[26][27] He earned consensus All-American honors that season, building on a second-team All-American selection in 2007, with career totals of 196 tackles and 11 interceptions underscoring his defensive impact.[25][28] Jenkins also secured first-team All-Big Ten recognition in each of his final three seasons, reflecting consistent performance against conference opponents.[29] As a senior, Jenkins served as team captain, contributing to leadership in a program with high expectations.[30] For NFL draft preparation, he declined an invitation to the Senior Bowl, opting instead for the NFL Scouting Combine in February 2009, where his 40-yard dash times of 4.53 to 4.58 seconds raised questions about his suitability as a cornerback and shifted some projections toward safety.[31][32] At Ohio State's pro day, he improved his 40-yard dash to 4.48–4.51 seconds and recorded 15 bench press reps, helping maintain his status as a first-round prospect despite the combine concerns.[33][34]Professional career
2009 NFL Draft and rookie season
The New Orleans Saints selected Malcolm Jenkins, a defensive back from Ohio State University, with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft on April 25.[14] [35] Draft analysts valued Jenkins for his athleticism, tackling ability, and positional versatility, projecting him primarily as a cornerback with the size (6 feet, 204 pounds) and instincts to transition to safety if needed.[36] The Saints, under head coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, sought to bolster a secondary emphasizing aggressive, ball-hawking play, with Jenkins fitting as a long-term complement to veterans Roman Harper and Darren Sharper.[37] In his rookie training camp, Jenkins trained at both cornerback and nickel back with the first-team defense, demonstrating adaptability amid a deep Saints secondary that limited immediate starting opportunities.[38] During the 2009 regular season, he appeared in 14 games with 6 starts, primarily at free safety and cornerback, recording 55 combined tackles (49 solo), 6 assists, 2 pass deflections, 1 interception (for 14 yards), and 1 forced fumble.[39] Jenkins' snap count was rotational due to the established depth chart, but he contributed on special teams and in sub-packages, adjusting to the NFL's professional demands such as film study intensity and in-season recovery routines.[40] Jenkins saw increased defensive involvement during the Saints' playoff run, including starts in the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl XLIV. In the February 7, 2010, Super Bowl victory over the Indianapolis Colts (31–17), he played as a reserve safety, logging 4 tackles and 1 pass deflection while helping contain quarterback Peyton Manning's passes in a defense that limited Indianapolis to 118 net passing yards.[41] This postseason exposure under Williams' scheme, which prioritized turnovers and physicality, provided foundational experience despite his limited regular-season role, foreshadowing his growth into a starter.[42]New Orleans Saints tenure (2009–2013)
Jenkins joined the New Orleans Saints as a first-round draft pick in 2009 and initially competed at cornerback before transitioning to free safety during training camp, a move that positioned him as a versatile defensive back in the team's aggressive 4-3 scheme under coordinator Gregg Williams.[1] In his rookie year, he played 14 games with 6 starts, amassing 55 combined tackles (49 solo), 1 interception, 4 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles, while contributing to the Saints' opportunistic defense that forced 39 turnovers en route to Super Bowl XLIV.[1] During the playoffs, including the 31–17 Super Bowl victory over the Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2010, Jenkins recorded 4 solo tackles and 1 pass deflection across two games, helping limit the opposition to under 20 points in the championship.[1] By 2010, Jenkins had fully evolved into the starting free safety, logging 15 starts and 64 combined tackles alongside 2 interceptions and 12 passes defended, earning second-team All-Pro honors for his coverage reliability and run support.[1] His performance trended upward in tackle volume, averaging 72 combined tackles per season from 2009 to 2013 (359 total over 71 games), with peaks of 94 in 13 starts during 2012 and 2.5 sacks plus 2 interceptions in 2013, though the defense's takeaway efficiency declined post-2009 amid coordinator transitions and opponent adjustments.[1] Injuries occasionally disrupted continuity, notably a knee issue in November 2012 that led to his placement on injured reserve on December 15, causing him to miss the final three games and playoffs after a promising midseason pace.[1][43] A brief leg injury in October 2013 against Buffalo also forced an early exit but did not end his season, as he returned for 14 games.[44] Jenkins anchored the secondary during consistent playoff contention, starting all four postseason games in 2011 and 2013 (21 combined tackles, 1 sack), where the Saints leaned on his range and tackling to support a pass rush that generated pressure but struggled with consistency beyond the 2009 championship.[1] He completed his rookie contract—a five-year, $19 million deal signed August 9, 2009, with $12.1 million guaranteed—without extensions, departing as an unrestricted free agent after 2013 amid the team's shift toward younger talent at safety.[45] By his final seasons, Jenkins had emerged as a locker room stabilizer, providing vocal leadership amid defensive rebuilds and off-field distractions like the bounty scandal investigations, though his influence grew more prominently in later career stops.[46] The Saints' secondary relied heavily on his versatility, but scheme limitations and secondary depth issues exposed vulnerabilities in pass coverage during non-playoff years.[1]Philadelphia Eagles stint (2014–2019)
On March 11, 2014, Jenkins signed a three-year contract worth $15.5 million with the Philadelphia Eagles, including $8.5 million guaranteed, transitioning from the New Orleans Saints to address the team's secondary needs.[47][45] He immediately assumed the role of starting free safety under defensive coordinator Billy Davis, playing in all 16 games and recording 108 combined tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble while adapting to a scheme emphasizing zone coverage.[1] In 2015, Jenkins elevated his performance with 89 tackles, two interceptions, and nine passes defended, earning recognition as the NFL's top safety by Pro Football Focus for his slot coverage efficiency, allowing just 0.78 yards per snap.[1][48] The arrival of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz in 2016 introduced a more aggressive, man-oriented scheme, in which Jenkins thrived as a versatile safety, logging 92 tackles, three interceptions, and leading the Eagles' secondary in snaps.[1] That season, he was selected for the Pro Bowl as a replacement after initially being named an alternate, highlighting his consistency with an 81.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest among Eagles defensive backs.[49][50] Jenkins signed a five-year extension in February 2016, securing his position through 2021 and affirming his leadership role.[51] As a defensive captain during the 2017 season, Jenkins anchored the secondary en route to Super Bowl LII, starting in the February 4, 2018, victory over the New England Patriots where he contributed four solo tackles and one pass deflection in the 41–33 win.[52][1] Over his Eagles tenure, he participated in 99% of defensive snaps in five of six seasons, demonstrating durability under Schwartz's system.[52] By 2019, however, analytics indicated a dip in performance, with Jenkins posting his lowest overall grade since 2013 amid debates over age-related physical decline at age 32, though he maintained starter status with 81 tackles and one interception.[53][1]Return to New Orleans Saints (2020–2021)
On March 18, 2020, Jenkins signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, including $16.25 million guaranteed and incentives that could raise the value to $35 million, facilitating his return to the franchise where he won Super Bowl XLIV as a rookie.[54][55] The agreement followed the Philadelphia Eagles' decision to decline his 2020 option, positioning Jenkins, then 32, as a stabilizing force for a Saints defense reliant on experienced players amid the NFL's implementation of COVID-19 protocols that disrupted training camps and early-season preparations.[56] In 2020, Jenkins embraced a veteran mentorship role, serving as the "dean of the defense" and the longest-tenured member of the secondary, guiding younger players while logging defensive snaps in 99% of the team's games to bolster run and pass defense efforts.[57][58] His leadership contributed to schematic continuity in an aging unit featuring multiple players over 30, though the Saints' commitments to such veterans, including Jenkins' deal, necessitated ongoing salary cap restructurings that foreshadowed broader financial strains from deferred obligations.[59] Jenkins' on-field presence tied career highs in interceptions and sacks, underscoring his sustained impact despite the physical toll of a pandemic-shortened offseason.[60] Jenkins' 2021 tenure reflected mounting physical decline, marked by fewer pass breakups compared to prior seasons and a knee injury sustained in Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which sidelined him for the NFC Wild Card playoff loss to the same opponent.[61][62] He appeared in 16 of 17 regular-season games, maintaining his advisory influence on defensive standards and rhythm amid injuries across the roster, yet the injury sequence highlighted diminishing durability at age 33 in a cap-constrained environment favoring youth infusions.[63][64]Retirement and career statistics
Announcement and transition
Malcolm Jenkins formally announced his retirement from the National Football League on March 30, 2022, via an interview on The Pivot podcast hosted by Ryan Clark, after completing 13 professional seasons primarily as a safety for the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles.[65] In the announcement, Jenkins emphasized having achieved key milestones such as Super Bowl championships and Pro Bowl honors, stating he felt he had "accomplished Super Bowls, Pro Bowl, all that there is to do in this game."[65] He highlighted the personal costs of the sport, including the physical wear from sustained high-level play and the mental demands of professional commitment, noting, "You sacrifice your body, your time, your mental... It's that time."[65] This decision aligned with broader NFL trends where veteran defensive backs often retire in their mid-30s due to injury risks and diminishing returns on physical investment after over a decade of contact.[66] Jenkins' rationale also reflected a shift toward family priorities, as he transitioned to prioritizing time with his children following years of seasonal absences, a common factor in athletes' retirement deliberations amid the league's grueling schedule.[67] Initial post-announcement reflections conveyed career fulfillment, with Jenkins describing his NFL tenure as transformative: "My time in the NFL in these locker rooms... has made me a better person in every way... that's the beauty of our game."[66] Speculation about unretirement or trade complications surfaced later in 2022, but Jenkins directly addressed and dismissed comeback rumors, confirming his resolve to remain retired despite the Saints holding residual contract rights, without involvement of no-trade provisions in his exit.[68] This closure underscored a deliberate endpoint in an era-defined career, amid an NFL landscape emphasizing player longevity management and post-career planning.[65]Regular season and playoff statistics
Over 13 NFL seasons spanning 2009 to 2021, Malcolm Jenkins recorded 1,044 combined tackles (704 solo, 216 assisted), 21 interceptions, 20 forced fumbles, 100 passes defended, and 13.5 sacks in 199 regular-season games.[1]| Year | Team | G | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sacks | INT | PD | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | NOR | 14 | 55 | 49 | 6 | 0.0 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| 2010 | NOR | 15 | 64 | 54 | 10 | 1.0 | 2 | 12 | 1 |
| 2011 | NOR | 15 | 78 | 64 | 14 | 1.0 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
| 2012 | NOR | 13 | 94 | 65 | 29 | 0.0 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| 2013 | NOR | 14 | 68 | 44 | 24 | 2.5 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| 2014 | PHI | 16 | 80 | 64 | 16 | 0.0 | 3 | 15 | 1 |
| 2015 | PHI | 16 | 109 | 90 | 19 | 0.0 | 2 | 10 | 3 |
| 2016 | PHI | 16 | 72 | 47 | 25 | 1.0 | 3 | 9 | 0 |
| 2017 | PHI | 16 | 76 | 63 | 13 | 1.0 | 2 | 8 | 1 |
| 2018 | PHI | 16 | 97 | 79 | 18 | 1.0 | 1 | 8 | 3 |
| 2019 | PHI | 16 | 81 | 63 | 18 | 2.5 | 0 | 8 | 4 |
| 2020 | NOR | 16 | 91 | 69 | 22 | 2.5 | 3 | 10 | 1 |
| 2021 | NOR | 16 | 79 | 53 | 26 | 1.0 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Year | Team | G | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sacks | INT | PD | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | NOR | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | NOR | 2 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | NOR | 2 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | PHI | 3 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | PHI | 2 | 15 | 13 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | PHI | 1 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | NOR | 2 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |