Jordan Jenkins wanted to remain in New York. Now he will for at least one more year.
The outside linebacker agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal with the Jets on Monday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
It seemed unlikely that Jenkins would play another season in New York just a few days ago, as both the Jets and Giants were said to be offering deals below the 25-year-old’s asking price. However, Jenkins has maintained a desire to stay in the area, particularly with the team that drafted him in 2016. The Daily News’ Manish Mehta indicated that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was one of the main reasons why Jenkins wanted to remain with the Jets.
The former third-round pick out of Georgia has since blossomed into a dependable defender for New York. After recording 5.5 sacks in his first two NFL seasons, Jenkins has led the Jets in that department in each of the past two seasons with 15 total sacks. Henkins, after a career-high eight sacks in 2019, is not considered an elite pass-rusher just yet, but another year under Williams could certainly change that. Either way, Jenkins has been an instrumental part of the Jets’ defense and re-signing him at a team-friendly rate prevents the team from having even more uncertainty on the edge.
In addition to his 20.5 sacks, Jenkins has recorded 157 total tackles, 22 for a loss, 40 QB hits, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries in 60 career games. Fifty of those games have been starts. He finished last season with a 66.9 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus.