After 13 years, Ravens’ nose tackle John Jenkins signs first contract extension
Updated: 4:38 PM EST Jan 2, 2026
For the first time in his 13-year career, John Jenkins is signing a contract extension. And the nose tackle is signing it with the Ravens.Jenkins’ new deal is reportedly for one year and worth approximately $2 million, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.Originally a third-round pick (No. 82) in the 2013 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, Jenkins has additionally played for the Seattle Seahawks (2016), Chicago Bears (2017 and 2020), New York Giants (2018), Miami Dolphins (2019, 2021 and 2022), Las Vegas Raiders (2022 and 2023) and Ravens (2025).”I’ve been on – I want to say – 11 one-year deals. So yes, I was surprised,” Jenkins said on Friday. “Having my first extension in 13 years, I’m excited.”But, Baltimore has seen multiple defensive players lost to season-ending injuries, giving Jenkins time on the field. The absence of defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and Broderick Washington (Achilles) has allowed him to shine in helping the Ravens’ run defense.Jenkins was a highly touted run stopper coming out of the University of Georgia, and has shown that to be the case throughout his NFL road trip. Despite a 6-foot, 3-inch build and more than 350 pounds, as well as being the fourth-oldest defensive lineman in the NFL (36), Jenkins has not wavered in his agility and quickness. He can overwhelm single blocks, using his size to his advantage, and uses quick shakes to close gaps in pass protection.Jenkins picked up his first quarterback hit of the season against the Los Angeles Rams and has six combined tackles (three solo) in Baltimore’s last three games. His 36 combined tackles for the season have him on pace for the fourth-most in his career. Should he reach four solo tackles in the regular season finale on Sunday, his 20 would tie the third-most in a single season of his career.”Being in this position for 13 years, you start thinking about life after football, right? So, I was just having some conversations with some people in the front office and things of that nature, and they were just like, ‘Hey, listen, you still got it.’ I’m like, ‘You think so?’ And then next thing you know, here we are,” Jenkins said on Friday.
BALTIMORE —
For the first time in his 13-year career, John Jenkins is signing a contract extension. And the nose tackle is signing it with the Ravens.
Jenkins’ new deal is reportedly for one year and worth approximately $2 million, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Originally a third-round pick (No. 82) in the 2013 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, Jenkins has additionally played for the Seattle Seahawks (2016), Chicago Bears (2017 and 2020), New York Giants (2018), Miami Dolphins (2019, 2021 and 2022), Las Vegas Raiders (2022 and 2023) and Ravens (2025).
“I’ve been on – I want to say – 11 one-year deals. So yes, I was surprised,” Jenkins said on Friday. “Having my first extension in 13 years, I’m excited.”
But, Baltimore has seen multiple defensive players lost to season-ending injuries, giving Jenkins time on the field. The absence of defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and Broderick Washington (Achilles) has allowed him to shine in helping the Ravens’ run defense.
Jenkins was a highly touted run stopper coming out of the University of Georgia, and has shown that to be the case throughout his NFL road trip.
Despite a 6-foot, 3-inch build and more than 350 pounds, as well as being the fourth-oldest defensive lineman in the NFL (36), Jenkins has not wavered in his agility and quickness. He can overwhelm single blocks, using his size to his advantage, and uses quick shakes to close gaps in pass protection.
Jenkins picked up his first quarterback hit of the season against the Los Angeles Rams and has six combined tackles (three solo) in Baltimore’s last three games. His 36 combined tackles for the season have him on pace for the fourth-most in his career. Should he reach four solo tackles in the regular season finale on Sunday, his 20 would tie the third-most in a single season of his career.
“Being in this position for 13 years, you start thinking about life after football, right? So, I was just having some conversations with some people in the front office and things of that nature, and they were just like, ‘Hey, listen, you still got it.’ I’m like, ‘You think so?’ And then next thing you know, here we are,” Jenkins said on Friday.