Trending: Malcolm Jenkins played pivotal role in bringing CJ Gardner-Johnson to Philly
Just a week before the season got underway, Eagles GM Howie Roseman made yet another splash move, trading picks to New Orleans for DB CJ Gardner-Johnson.
Safety was primarily viewed as the most significant hole on this roster, and Gardner-Johnson has a chance to provide stability at the position — much like another former Saint did during his tenure in Philadelphia.
Roseman has never been bashful about adding impact players, but he didn’t decide to pursue Gardner-Johnson on his own. That determination was aided by former Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins.
“If it wasn’t for Jenkins’ guidance, it’s possible that Howie Roseman wouldn’t have traded for Gardner-Johnson last month. The Eagles’ general manager reached out to his former safety prior to making the deal. He asked many questions, but he mostly wanted to know if the 24-year-old could fit into the team’s culture and whether he could handle playing in an Eagles-obsessed city.
Jenkins, who arrived in Philadelphia as a free agent without much fanfare, but eventually won over its constituents, gave Roseman the affirmative.” — Jeff Mclane, Philadelphia Inquirer
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Jenkins joined the Eagles in 2014, spending six seasons with the team while becoming a prominent leader in both the locker room and the Philadelphia community. He didn’t miss a single game as an Eagle and played every defensive snap in all but one season.
Also coming from New Orleans, Jenkins understood what it took to flourish in Philadelphia.
“Philly’s going to love him,” Jenkins said of Gardner-Johnson. “All the things that they love to see, somebody who’s going to fight, somebody who’s not afraid of anybody, plays the game hard, he’s going to check every single box.”
Jenkins’ words have rung true thus far, with Gardner-Johnson swiftly acclimating himself to the starting defense in less than a month. If all goes well, CGJ could be awarded the contract extension that eluded him in New Orleans.
As for Jenkins, he’ll undoubtedly always be remembered for knocking Brandin Cooks out of Super Bowl 52 en route to securing Philly’s first Super Bowl title.
Mandatory Credit: Getty Images
