2016 NFL Draft Updates: Malcolm Jenkins Signs New 5-Year Contract With Philadelphia Eagles

Feb 23, 2016 08:32 AM EST

Free safety Malcolm Jenkins has agreed to stay with the Philadelphia Eagles after signing a new 5-year contract with the team. Aside from the long-term deal, the athlete also agreed to a four-year extension worth $35 million.

The new contract and extension deal with Jenkins is Eagles' way of ensuring that one of its core players will remain with the team for a long time. To be specific, Eagles fans can expect to see the athlete playing under the team's flag until the through the 2020 football season, NFL.com reported.

Based on the new deal, it seems Philadelphia's NFL franchise is looking to the future in securing the performance of the team. It can also be considered as a smart move since Jenkins had more forced turnovers than any Eagles defender last season. Also, for the last two years, he held to the most number of tackles in the team.

As noted by Jenkins, he is also happy to stay with the team.

"Being here the last two seasons, I've been able to play in systems that complement my skill set really well and it's led to higher production, it's led to better seasons," the athlete said according to Philly.com. "But also being put into position where I've kind of been pushed to the forefront to be a leader."

In total, Jenkins is looking to earn $40.5 million under the new deal with the team. Aside from the $35 million from his new contract, he will also make an addition $5.5 million from his previous deal with the Eagles, which is scheduled to end this year.

Jenkins is the latest member of the Eagles family to receive a new contract with the team. In the previous months, the Philadelphia franchise also offered new deals with defensive end Vinny Curry, right tackle Lane Johnson, and tight end Zach Ertz. According to reports, Fletcher Cox, the team's defensive lineman, is also expected to get a similar offer from the Eagles soon.

Aside from the athletes, another personality that returned to the Eagles is Howie Roseman, who has taken over the general manager duties for the team last month.