Back in 2022, the Jags started 3-7 but finished the season strong, winning six of their last games to seize the AFC South title and make the playoffs. Aside from Trevor Lawrence's improved play, the secondary was one of the biggest reasons behind the Jags' late-season success. Safety Rayshawn Jenkins was among the players leading the way.
Jenkins posted career numbers that year, registering a personal-best three interceptions and 12 passes defensed. However, he wasn't able to sustain that level of play the following season. By 2024, the former Miami Hurricane no longer figured in Jacksonville's plans and was given the boot.
Although Jenkins was able to quickly latch onto the Seattle Seahawks, he's had a nomadic career after leaving the Jaguars, failing to spend more than a year with a franchise. Just recently, the veteran safety joined the Baltimore Ravens after blowing his chance with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Ravens signed Rayshawn Jenkins after the Steelers released him
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Baltimore signed Rayshawn Jenkins following his brief stint with Pittsburgh. The Ravens announced the move not long after.
Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official website announced that Pittsburgh released Jenkins after Week 6. He signed a one-year deal early in 2026 but struggled to get going, giving up a 100 percent completion rate on five targets and a perfect 158.3 passer rating.
With safety Deshaun Elliot back in the mix, releasing Jenkins was a no-brainer. He now joins a Baltimore team that was in dire need of safety help. But based on how things have played out for the St. Petersburg, Florida native, it's hard to imagine he'll make much of a difference.
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Rayshawn Jenkins peaked with the Jaguars
Rayshawn Jenkins was one of the free agents the Jaguars signed in 2021 to steer the ship in the right direction after finishing 1-15 the year prior. However, he didn't have much of an impact in his first season in Duval. Quite the opposite.
Leaving aside that Jenkins didn't make many big plays in 2021, he got the spotlight for punching wide receiver Jauan Jennings and getting disqualified in a blowout against the San Francisco 49ers. He did turn the corner the following season when he was a pivotal piece of the J-Villians secondary that spearheaded the playoff push.
But that was it. Jenkins hasn't been able to recapture that level, and there are two ways to look at it. You can acknowledge that he dominated one season but has otherwise been unremarkable. On the other hand, there's merit in staying in the NFL for as long as he has.
Keep in mind that Jenkins was a fourth-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017. That he's managed to stick around in the pros for 10 years is an accomplishment several players would love to achieve. Without a doubt, he's exceeded expectations in that regard.
And the Jaguars should be hyped up that Rayshawn Jenkins had the best year of his career with them.
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