AP
The Jets have acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins from the Carolina Panthers, and sent LB Jonathan Vilma to the Saints.
Jenkins was acquired for third- and fifth-round draft picks, and ESPN.com reports the Saints will part with a 2009 fourth-round pick that may be upgraded based on Vilma’s performance.
The Jets then came to terms with Jenkins on a new five-year contract worth $35 million, including $20 million in guaranteed money.
The deal ended a tumultuous year for Jenkins. He was also placed on the trading block last year and had angered the coaching staff for being overweight and missing offseason workouts.
Jenkins played in all 16 games last season, and had 2.5 sacks. Near the end of the season he said he wasnât sure if he wanted to return to Carolina.
At 6-foot-4 and listed at 349 pounds, Jenkins could move to nose tackle in the Jetsâ 3-4 defensive scheme.
âKris is extremely excited to be going to New York,â said Jenkinsâ agent, Tony Paige. âHe leaves Carolina with no malice or anything like that and is grateful they drafted him and gave him a chance to play. He had a lot of great memories there.â
The Panthers, looking to fill several needs after two straight seasons out of the playoffs, coveted extra draft picks. The Panthers had given up their fifth-round pick last summer when they acquired safety Chris Harris from the Chicago Bears.
The Jets hope Jenkins can regain the form that made him one of the NFLâs top defensive tackles before missing most of the 2004 and â05 seasons with injuries.
Jenkins came back in 2006 and made the Pro Bowl, but his constant weight problems disappointed the coaching staff.
After the Panthers failed to trade him during last yearâs draft, Jenkins was the only starter to miss Juneâs voluntary workouts and his agent said he wanted a new contract.
The 28-year-old didnât get a new deal, but he showed up at training camp and was the best player on a disappointing defensive line. Still, Jenkins irritated some in the organization when he questioned his teammatesâ passion after a loss to Tampa Bay early in the season.
Paige said he was allowed to try to broker a trade for Jenkins since the end of the season. He said Cincinnati, Buffalo and Denver also showed interest.
âWe are glad to finally get it done,â Paige said.
