DAT’s DAVIS: Malcolm Jenkins Retires After 13 Seasons

NFL: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Today marks the end of not only seeing one of my all-time favorite Saints players in the NFL, but also one of the last remnants of the Saints’ historic 2009 Super Bowl victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins has announced on The Pivot Podcast, hosted by ESPN’s Ryan Clark, that he is officially retiring from the NFL after 13 incredible seasons.

First, I want to say congratulations to Malcolm Jenkins for a successful career. A two-time Super Bowl champion (second one being with the Philadelphia Eagles), three-time Pro Bowler, & a true leader both on and off the field. Nobody could’ve predicted he’d have this much success in the league after initially being drafted to be a cornerback for the New Orleans Saints, and it not panning out well. I’ll never forget the day he left New Orleans to go play with the Philadelphia Eagles; it was crushing for me, especially seeing how he helped them to win a Super Bowl in 2017. It always felt like the one that got away.

Jenkins had been contemplating retirement every off-season after his tenth year in the NFL. Today he’s finally decided to hang up the cleats, and I couldn’t think of any better way to go out than to retire on the team you originally came into the league with. The off-season for the Saints has been less than ideal, having lost Terron Armstead to the Miami Dolphins, and now having to replace both of their starting safeties from 2021. Marcus Maye replaces Marcus Williams, who signed a lucrative deal with the Baltimore Ravens, and that move came rather quickly. We’ve seen signs of Jenkins potentially retiring this year, starting with the restructuring of his contract for the league minimum. A move they also did with Drew Brees before he retired. Dennis Allen also declined to answer whether or not Malcolm Jenkins was retiring or not, when asked by Nick Underhill.

“I’m not sure. You’d have to ask Malcolm that question.” Dennis Allen said.

So, do I believe the Saints have a plan in place? Yes. But make no mistake about it, this retirement hurts in more ways than one; for the next person that comes in will have mighty shoes to fill.

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