OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) 鈥� At age 36, John Jenkins finally received a contract extension in the NFL.
The Ravens announced Friday they were keeping the veteran nose tackle. The 6-foot-3, 360-pound Jenkins is in his 13th pro season, but receiving an extension before the end of the season is a novelty for him.
鈥淵’all know I’ve been around the whole America, and having my first extension in 13 years, I’m excited,鈥� he said.
Jenkins was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2013 and played with them until he was waived during the 2016 season. He was quickly picked up by Seattle, but for the next nine offseasons, he either signed with a new team or reached a new deal to stay put.
Now he doesn’t have to worry about that process.
鈥淚’ve been on, I want to say, 11 single contracts, one-year deals,鈥� Jenkins said. 鈥淪o yeah, I was surprised.鈥�
After starting every game for Las Vegas during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Jenkins signed with Baltimore and has made 13 starts this season for the Ravens. Baltimore lost star interior lineman Nnamdi Madubuike early this season to a neck injury, so Jenkins became an important fixture in the Ravens’ defense.
鈥淏eing in this position 13 years, you start thinking about life after football. So I was just having some conversations with some people in the front office,鈥� Jenkins said. 鈥淎nd they were just like, 鈥楬ey listen, you still got it.鈥� I’m like, 鈥榊ou think so?鈥� Next thing you know, here we are.”
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