There wasn't much about the 2015 Philadelphia Eagles defense for fans to celebrate. Sure, they were forced to play opposite Chip Kelly's broken break-neck offense all season, so they once again struggled through far more snaps than any other unit in the league. But there simply weren't many positives for that side of the ball beyond Jordan Hicks' hot start and Fletcher Cox and safety Malcolm Jenkins's elite play. Ironically, both Jenkins and Cox are without deals beyond the 2016 season. And while Cox is almost assured to get his contract extended - and massively so - Jenkins' case isn't as clear-cut.
But he'd like it to be.
"Believe me, I'm waiting. I'm trying to get in line just like everybody else," Jenkins said, while appearing on SiriusXM Radio, per Jeff McLane of Philly.com. "That's something I can't control. But I'm definitely interested in staying. I want to be in Philly long-term."
Jenkins signed a three-year, $15.5 million contract with Kelly's Eagles on the first day of free agency in 2014. He'll make $5 million in 2016, the final year of his deal.
Since joining the team to play in Billy Davis' 3-4 defense, Jenkins has been far and away one of the team's best players on that side of the ball. And yet, Jenkins somehow managed to take his game to new heights this year. In his age 28 season, Jenkins collected 109 tackles and three forced fumbles, both career-bests, as well as two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown during a big game against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Jenkins has also taken on the role of team leader, bearing the mantle and dealing with the media scrutiny that comes with it, willingly. But is it enough to overcome the fact that he wasn't drafted by the Eagles?
Really, it seems a silly thing to quibble over considering how effective Jenkins has been since joining the team, but Eagles not-GM/GM Howie Roseman made it clear that part of the reason the franchise was locking up players like Zach Ertz and Lane Johnson and Vinny Curry was that they were homegrown Philly talents.
Jenkins, a first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2009, is not.
If the Eagles want to avoid signing Jenkins beyond this season because he's inching closer to 30 or they think he won't fit as well in new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's scheme or his asking price is exorbitant, so be it.
But as they did with aging veteran Brent Celek, keeping Jenkins on a deal that works for both sides - assuming then can reach such an agreement - should be a priority for a franchise light on talent at the position.
Then again, Celek was an Eagle draft pick. So, maybe Jenkins' desires will fall on deaf ears after all.
