METAIRIE, Los Angeles. – The New Orleans Saints left starting quarterback Janoris Jenkins this Thursday while they continue to be paid their salary cap, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Jenkins was to earn $ 11.2 million in salaries and bonuses this year, of which $ 1.2 million was guaranteed. New Orleans will save at least $ 7 million against the salary cap and could save another $ 3 million if the decision is designated as a June 1 release.
Jenkins, 32, went to the Pro Bowl with the New York Giants in 2016 and has 26 interceptions in his nine-year career with the Rams, Giants and Saints. He started 15 games in New Orleans last season, including the playoffs, after the Saints demanded the Giants ’resignations at the end of the 2019 season.
The Saints began the low-season nearly $ 100 million, which dropped 8 percent to $ 182.5 million by 2021 due to the loss of coronavirus-related revenue in 2020.
New Orleans has already released Jenkins, receiver Emmanuel Sanders, pointer Thomas Morstead, tight end Josh Hill and offensive player Nick Easton. The Saints are also expected to throw Kwon Alexander behind them.
Jenkins was probably one of the toughest decisions on this list, as he had proven to be a good fit for the defense, ranking No. 4 in the NFL in allowed fields and fifth in allowed points in 2020. .
The 5-foot 10, 190-pound champion had three interceptions last season, one of which came back for a touchdown in a Week 1 win over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last season he had 12 passing defenses and a total of 118 in his career.
The Saints don’t have an obvious replacement on the inside, so the position could be a priority to tackle in free agency or in the draft.
A second-round draft pick with the Rams in 2012, Jenkins has started a total of 125 games in the regular season and four more in the playoffs.