During the short-lived Urban Meyer debacle, the Jacksonville Jaguars made an aggressive effort to turn things around in 2021, signing several players in free agency to bolster the roster. Safety Rashawn Jenkins was among the team's most notable acquisitions. While Jenkins had a couple of good seasons in Duval, his star eventually faded, and he was released early in 2024.
The veteran safety quickly latched onto the Seattle Seahawks. And after a season in Emerald City, he signed with the Cleveland Browns. Following another one-year stint, it took Jenkins a few months to find a new home, but his wait is finally over after joining the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Former Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins is signing with the Steelers
Jahleel Addae reports that Rayshawn Jenkins signed with the Steelers, adding that it's a one-year pact. The terms of the agreement aren't known, but it may be a matter of time before they're revealed. Not long after, NFL insider Jordan Schultz confirmed the news.
Sources: The #Steelers are signing former #Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 1, 2026
The 10-year veteran played in all 17 games last season for Cleveland, while recording 1 INT and 45 tackles. pic.twitter.com/hQTUtMjvKa
Jenkins is coming off a solid season in Berea, registering 45 total tackles, one interception and one forced fumble in 17 games with three starts. However, he was outshined by fellow safeties Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman, so it wasn't shocking to see him get the boot in the offseason. Heck, the former Miami Hurricane was seen as a potential trade candidate at the 2025 deadline. His stint with the Seahawks the year prior was even more unremarkable.
In 13 games with nine starts with Seattle, Jenkins recorded no sacks and 53 total tackles. He did have one fumble return for a touchdown, but the Hawks moved on from him anyway.
Jenkins is now joining a secondary that includes DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker in Pittsburgh. He will probably be given a chance to compete for a starting job but could end up being a depth piece.
Rayshawn Jenkins was a mainstay of the Jaguars defense in 2022
A fourth-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017, Jenkins developed into a starting safety by the time he joined the Jaguars. He got a four-year deal worth $35 million because of his upside. And in 2022, the St. Petersburg, Florida native lived up to expectations, registering a career-best three interceptions and 12 passes defensed, also a personal best.
Moreover, Jenkins came up with the J-Villains nickname for the Jaguars defense during the 2022 playoff run. However, he suffered a step drop-off the following year and was gone by 2024.
Fast forward to 2026, and Rayshawn Jenkins may have entered the journeyman stage of his career. Perhaps he'll be a game-changer like he was for the Jaguars in 2022; maybe not. But regardless of how things play out, he proved that he could play at a high level, even if it was only briefly.
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