Rayshawn Jenkins’ cryptic tweet signaling the end of his Chargers tenure?

Rayshawn Jenkins has really stepped up for the LA Chargers over the last two seasons. Derwin James has missed a combined 27 games over the last two seasons and Nasir Adderley essentially missed all of 2019 and struggled immensely in 2020.

That was the ideal safety pairing for the LA Chargers prior to the 2019 season and the only actually consistent part of the safety position was Rayshawn Jenkins.

Jenkins is a free agent this offseason and he may have just revealed what his future fate is in the NFL with a cryptic tweet that seemingly points to the end of his tenure with the LA Chargers.

Scary Hours? 2 years starting, I’m just getting started. Excited to see where we headed next. ?? pic.twitter.com/bQJ3la63Q7

— Rayshawn Jenkins (@Jenkz_26) March 14, 2021

Now, this could be broken down in a multitude of ways. The ‘we’ that Jenkins is referring to could be the LA Chargers and any potential excitement that he has to play under Brandon Staley. However, it would be strange for him to refer to the Chargers as ‘we’ at this point in the offseason.

As a free agent, him referring to the Chargers as ‘we’ could indicate that a deal was in place and nothing yet has been reported. Of course, the Chargers could simply be keeping it away from the media but what is the point of keeping a new deal with Rayshawn Jenkins a secret until free agent?

‘We’ could also refer to himself and his fans, family, etc. This seems more likely in the literal sense, as he might be preparing to head somewhere else where he would have a definitive starting spot.

What will the LA Chargers do if Rayshawn Jenkins leaves?

There are two routes. First, the team could sign a veteran safety on a cheap one-year contract and hope that it is enough with Derwin James and Nasir Adderley. James is one of the best safeties in the league when healthy and Adderley does have potential.

Getting someone such as Tre Boston (former Charger) very well could work out nicely for the team. He can not only provide depth but provide valuable experience for Adderley to learn from.

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The other route is in the 2021 NFL Draft and with other roster needs, I cannot see the Chargers picking a safety any higher than the fourth round. The first-round picks (the Chargers have two third-round picks) should be spent on two offensive linemen, a corner and an edge rusher.

At least that is what they would be spent on in a perfect world.

Jenkins certainly is replaceable and it does seem more likely that he will walk away than re-sign. Some team is going to come in and offer him $3-4 million more than they should and the Chargers just do not have the finances to overpay for Jenkins with all of the other roster holes.

It is a risk with James’ health and Adderley’s progression into the league but it is a risk that the team is kind of forced to take.

Rayshawn Jenkins has really stepped up for the Bolts and whether it is with the LA Chargers or not, I would simply be happy that he is getting his worth and getting paid.