Malcolm Jenkins' letter to Eagles fans: 'I sincerely never wanted to leave'

Martin Frank | Delaware News Journal

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Malcolm Jenkins, in a heartfelt letter to Eagles fans, said he never wanted to leave the team, leaving more questions as to why the Pro Bowl safety is now part of the New Orleans Saints.

Jenkins wrote his letter in The Players Tribune on Saturday, three days after the Eagles released him. He signed with the Saints on Thursday.

The former Eagles safety spent the last six seasons in Philadelphia, making the Pro Bowl three times. He spent the five seasons before that with the Saints.

"I sincerely never wanted to leave Philadelphia," Jenkins wrote, adding. "Forget everything else you’ve heard, and just trust me on this: Money has NEVER been my motivator. For me, it’s always been LEGACY that I value most."

Jenkins, who's 32, signed with New Orleans for four years reportedly worth as much as $32 million. But only the first two years worth $16 million are guaranteed.

Jenkins had said after the Eagles' season ended that he wouldn't play for the Eagles under terms of his contract, which was for $7.6 million this season, the final year of his deal.

So it seemed like a slight raise and a guaranteed second year could have gotten it done.

The highest-paid safeties in the NFL are in the $14 million per year range. Devin McCourty, who like Jenkins is 32 years old, re-signed with the Patriots for two years and $23 million.

Jenkins, regarded as the team's leader, said in his letter that he always strove to be one of the team's "alphas."

"When you see me, an 11-year veteran, playing special teams and running down on punt coverage, it’s not because I want extra money," he wrote. "It’s because I want to be known as someone who will give it all to his team in order to win."

Then he added: "And it’s no secret that I wanted a new deal — no secret that I felt like I deserved one. Not so I could be the highest-paid player at my position (even though I regard myself as being of that caliber), but so I could cement my legacy in Philadelphia forever.

"I wanted a deal that showed me that my sacrifices to the game have been recognized. I’m no idiot. I know money is tied to timing, market value, age, the draft, and so on. But legacy? That’s tied to the player, and to the name on the back of his jersey.

"Unfortunately, for whatever reason, I wasn’t able to ensure that my name would end up on the back of an Eagles jersey this year. But hopefully the legacy that I leave behind will last in the most important way: over time."

Jenkins described his best moments with the Eagles, such as winning the Super Bowl. He also described his first game as an Eagle, on Sept. 7, 2014 against the Jaguars. The Eagles were losing 17-0 at halftime and the team was getting booed.

"By halftime there was pretty much this mutiny in the stands," Jenkins wrote. "I remember some teammates getting upset and saying things like, 'I can’t stand our fans.'

"I had a different response. I laughed because, internally, I was booing us too! That’s Philly, I was thinking. They’re going to be tough, but they’re going to be fair. And I can’t prove it or anything – but I swear it was those boos that inspired us to set our chins and just start swinging back."

The Eagles won that game 34-17.

Jenkins went on to thank Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, head coach Doug Pederson, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and "the rest of the coaching staff," and of course his teammates.

But he did not mention Eagles general manager Howie Roseman.

Roseman has said during the offseason that he wants the roster to get younger and cheaper. After releasing Jenkins, Roseman re-signed safety Rodney McLeod to a two-year, $12 million deal. McLeod is two years younger than Jenkins.

The Eagles also re-signed cornerback Jalen Mills, but have hinted that they will move him to safety.

But it won't be the same without Jenkins.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.