The Eagles signed Patrick Chung as a free agent last year in hopes of solidifying their safety spot, but things didn’t work out as planned and the Eagles were back in the market for safeties this offseason.
They landed one on the first day of free agency. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Eagles signed former Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins to a three-year, $16.25 million deal. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that $8.5 million of that total is guaranteed.
New Orleans made Jenkins the 14th overall pick of the 2010 draft, although he was a cornerback at that point in his career. He moved to safety the next season and has started all but seven games over the last four seasons. He’s been a solid player for the Saints, if a bit below the upper echelon of the league’s safeties, and should be a huge upgrade over the collection of players that the Eagles used at safety last season.
The Eagles cleared some room on the roster by announcing that they have released Chung after one subpar year with the team. Given the struggles of the rest of the safety unit last season, Jenkins may not be the only new face added at the position this offseason.
UPDATE 5:20 p.m. ET: The Eagles have announced the deal with Jenkins as well.