Rayshawn Jenkins: I take Jaguars’ trust in me very personally

It seems every time the Jacksonville Jaguars defense is in need of a big play this season, safety Rayshawn Jenkins is the one most ready to step up to the plate.

Jenkins was the one who ended an overtime game against the Dallas Cowboys with a pick six, and it was Jenkins who gave the Jaguars their first lead of the night Saturday. His strip sack of Tennessee Titans quarterback Joshua Dobbs was recovered by Josh Allen for a touchdown, putting the Jaguars ahead 20-16 with less than three minutes left.

“I always dream about making big plays, especially when my number is called” Jenkins said after the game. “Especially if my coaches have the trust to call my number on a play, I take that very personal.

“That’s what you are supposed to do when you get brought into a team and supposed to change the culture. You’ve got to be one of those guys, especially when you come in. You know, if they went to go hand-pick you, you have to be one of the guys that help change the culture.”

Jenkins was one of the pricier additions for the Jaguars in the 2021 offseason, signing with the team on a four-year, $35 million deal. The former Los Angeles Chargers safety struggled to make much of an impact in his first season in Jacksonville, finishing the year with no interceptions, sacks, or forced fumbles in 14 starts.

The 2022 regular season was a much different story as Jenkins finished with three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and one extremely consequential sack.