Giants sign defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins

Cullen Jenkins will join the Eagles’ biggest rivals next season.
Credit: Getty Images

Nothing like signing with the enemy to rekindle old rivalries.

Free agent Cullen Jenkins has decided to sign with the Giants, according to ESPN. The deal is for three years and $8 million. The 32-year-old defensive tackle spent the last two season with the Eagles. He spent the previous, most successful, seven years of his career with the Packers.

“I’m excited,” Jenkins said in a statement. “It’s been a tough two weeks [since being released], going through so many different things mentally, with my family and traveling so much — trying to figure out which was the best scenario. I’m glad that it’s over and especially with the Giants.”

Jenkins signed a five-year, $25 million deal with Philadelphia as part of an incoming class Vince Young deemed the Dream Team. Also included in that class was top corner Nnamdi Asomugha. Both Jenkins and Asomugha turned out to be disappointments for an Eagles team which missed the postseason two years in a row. They were 8-8 in Jenkins’s first season and 4-12 last year.

The Giants and Eagles split their two matchups last season. But the Eagles fired long-time coach Andy Reid and brought in college coach Chip Kelly, who wants his defense to be younger and faster, meaning Jenkins was an easy cut given his salary.

Still, Jenkins was durable over his two seasons in Philadelphia. He played in all 16 games both seasons. He had 5 1/2 sacks in 2011 and four in 2012. He has 38 1/2 sacks in his nine-year career.

The Giants let defensive tackle Chris Canty walk earlier this offseason, in favor of a signing a player with a more manageable contract. Apparently, Jenkins fit the bill.

Jenkins is also the younger brother of former Jets defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, who hasn’t shied away from the spotlight even since he retired due to mounting injuries. He’s been particularly critical of the Jets in his time as a broadcast analyst.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.