EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 29: Safety Malcolm Jenkins #27 of the Philadelphia Eagles follows the action against the New York Giants in the rain in the first half at MetLife Stadium on December 29, 2019, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)
The New Orleans Saints are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season and they need these five players to be great in order to win their second championship.
For the past few years it feels like the New Orleans Saints have been knocking on the door of greatness. The Saints have made the playoffs each of the last three years and won a combined 37 regular-season games only to fall in heartbreaking fashion in the postseason.
The clock is ticking to win a second title under Drew Brees, who is back for what could be his final season. New Orleans needs to get great performances out of several players in order to be great in 2020, including safety Malcolm Jenkins.
New Orleans Saints x-factor: Malcolm Jenkins
This offseason proved to be a homecoming for Malcolm Jenkins, who began his career with the Saints as a key contributor to the Super Bowl XLIV champions in his rookie year. After spending the past six years with the Philadelphia Eagles and winning another ring in Super Bowl LII, Jenkins came back to the Saints this winter on a four-year deal.
Jenkins is going to be asked to replace Vonn Bell, who emerged as a key player last year in the Saints’ defense. Bell departed for a three-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, leaving New Orleans to turn back to Jenkins to replace him.
There is some risk that Jenkins, who turned 32 in December, could decline as he enters the latter portion of his career. The Saints can’t afford to have that happen since Jenkins will be one of the key signal-callers on the defense this season.