BREAKING: Saints Release CB Janoris Jenkins

New Orleans moves on from another star player in a salary cap move.

According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the New Orleans Saints are releasing cornerback Janoris Jenkins on Thursday. Jenkins was under contract for two more years with the team, but would have counted $14.2 million against the salary cap in 2021. His release saves the Saints $7 million in salary cap space as they prepare for the March 17th start of free agency.

Sep 13, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Saints cornerback Janoris Jenkins (20) defends Tampa Bay wide receiver Chris Godwin (14). Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY

The 32-Yr old Jenkins joined New Orleans as a waiver pickup for the final three games of the 2019 season. He started opposite Pro Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore last season, forming one of the league's best tandems of corners.

Jenkins allowed just 58.8% completion percentage when targeted in 2020, recording a team-high 3 interceptions and adding 12 passes broken up and 2 tackles for loss. He has intercepted 26 passes in his nine-year NFL career and scored 9 defensive touchdowns. One of those scores was a pivotal 36-Yd interception return in a Week 1 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Nov 29, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Saints cornerback Janoris Jenkins (20) intercepts a pass intended for Broncos wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton (17). Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY

Jenkins joins G Nick Easton, TE Jared Cook, TE Josh Hill, P Thomas Morstead, WR Emmanuel Sanders, and LB Kwon Alexander as veterans who have been released so far this offseason. His departure opens up a big need at cornerback for New Orleans as they head toward free agency and the draft.