Can we take a break from contract talks and what the Eagles may do with Malcolm Jenkins for a second and just acknowledge how good this guy is?
Dear Philadelphia Eagles fans, let’s all take the day off. For just a few moments, let’s talk about Malcolm Jenkins, and let’s do so without mentioning what’s going on with his contract. Let’s take a moment or two to talk about something other than his off-field charity and leadership. Let’s do so without spending a ton of time on his ‘Iron Man’ persona.
Well, maybe we can mention that last one and his 2018 season. You remember. He was on the field for every defensive snap. That’s almost too impressive to leave out.
Our NFL world is now one where people play fantasy football and read Pro Football Focus, so with that being said, can we just mention a few stats?
Since joining ‘The Birds’ in 2014, Jenkins hasn’t missed a game. He’s started in every single one of his 80 contests with the team. He’s added 50 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and 11 interceptions to a resume that may end up getting him some Hall of Fame consideration.
One of those 11 picks was against the G.O.A.T., Tom Brady, and ’27’ took that one from goal line to goal line to spark an upset win by the Eagles over the New England Patriots in 2015 (what a game that was). Still, with all of those stats to think on, here’s one that may have slid past you.
Since 2015, Jenkins has finished in the top ten of all NFL safeties in stops every single year. Eagles fans know it, and the guys over at Pro Football Focus know it too. You didn’t think this was a fact lost on them, did you?
Malcolm Jenkins has finished in the top 10 amongst safeties in stops every year since 2015. pic.twitter.com/nQtWhforFW
— PFF PHI Eagles (@PFF_Eagles) June 30, 2019
Count them up. ’27’ has 434 tackles and three sacks since joining Philly. More are sure to come in 2019. Paired with Rodney McLeod, these two might represent one of the best safety tandems in all of football if McLeod is healthy.
If the Eagles can find a couple of nice reserves in training camp, this may be one of the fierecest units the Eagles trot out on the field this coming season. We’ll all be waiting to see if that’s the case.