Brees, the NFL's all-time leader for passing yardage and touchdown passes, caused outrage earlier this week when he said those who protest against racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem are "disrespecting the flag".
A tearful Jenkins, who returned to the Saints this offseason, described Brees' comments as "hurtful" and "insensitive", with the quarterback later issuing two apologies and an admission he had "completely missed the mark".
While his apologies were welcomed by Saints colleagues, Trump - a vocal critic of those, like Colin Kaepernick, who have knelt during the national anthem - suggested Brees was wrong to row back on his initial views.
However, Brees later posted an Instagram note addressed to Trump in which he reiterated "this is not an issue about the American flag", words which were welcomed by Jenkins.
"Drew, as much as your comments hurt me and many other people, I appreciate you for listening because being heard is a big part of it," the safety said on his Instagram story.
Other prominent voices in the Saints' locker room were also pleased to see Brees express regret over his original comments.
Veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan wrote on Twitter: "My teammate dropped a bar... paraphrasing @demario__davis, "apology is a form of true leadership... that's taking ownership." Only through open dialogue & open hearts can we expand our comprehension and only in courage can we create positive change! @drewbrees".
Wide receiver Michael Thomas, Brees' go-to receiver over the past four seasons, retweeted his team-mate's note and wrote: "MY QB".
My teammate dropped a bar... paraphrasing @demario__davis , “apology is a form of true leadership... that’s taking ownership.” Only through open dialogue & open hearts can we expand our comprehension and only in courage can we create positive change! @drewbreeshttps://t.co/Z3GZJ0awwC
Jenkins has a year remaining on his current contract with the Eagles and the two-time NFL Super Bowl champion is trying to renegotiate fresh terms in Philadelphia.
The 32-year-old enjoyed another fine season for the Eagles, tallying 81 tackles, 2.5 sacks and four forced fumbles en route to the NFC wild-card playoffs, which Philadelphia lost.
Now, three-time Pro Bowler Jenkins – who joined the Eagles from the New Orleans Saints in 2014 – wants a pay rise.
"I won't be back under the same deal," Jenkins told reporters on Monday. "That won't happen.... It's like anything else, you set your value on the market.
"The market is good for safeties right now, and I consider myself to be in the top tier of that group."
"I'm not one to beg," Jenkins added. "I am a very prideful person, so I feel like what I put out there this year, what I put on tape, what I've given to this team is more than enough. I can't do any more. So for me, I feel good about that; that it'll be good enough for me to go into this offseason with certainty that I'll be fine."
"I told myself I'll make it to 10 and then go year by year after that, you know, as long as my body felt good, the money was what I wanted and it was a team I enjoy being on," he said. "Right now I'm physically able, still love the game, I would love to be here, but I understand that this is a business.
"Honestly, I've reached the point where I've done what I can. At this point, it's up to my agent and management. I let my soul bleed every time I touch the field, sacrifice myself, do whatever I'm asked to do. So I'm content with doing my part."
Jenkins re-joined the Saints for a second spell in New Orleans following his departure from the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 32-year-old safety started his professional career with the Saints in 2009, helping New Orleans to victory in Super Bowl XLIV before moving to the Eagles in 2014.
After another Super Bowl triumph and five years in Philadelphia, three-time Pro Bowler Jenkins is back with the Saints on a four-year deal.
"I am very, very excited to be coming back to New Orleans, especially at this point in my career," Jenkins told reporters on Saturday. "It kind of feels like everything's coming full circle and obviously with the success that the team has had in the last few years, being able to come back and just help push the team just with that one more step that I think it needs to be back in that Super Bowl again.
"I'm super excited and grateful for Mrs. Benson, Mickey Loomis and Sean [Payton] for giving me the opportunities to come back. New Orleans is family. I still have a place down there and my second daughter's middle name is NOLA because I love that place. I'm excited to be back in the community.
"My foundation has maintained our programs in New Orleans over the last six years. It feels like I'm coming back home."
Brady is expected to be announced as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer after deciding to end his 20-season association with the Patriots.
However, his change of scenery is far from the only transaction affecting the NFL landscape. Here, we wrap up the significant moves reported to have been agreed as the new league year began on Wednesday.
Nick Foles, who got the better of Brady in Super Bowl LII, is reportedly headed to the Chicago Bears after the Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to trade him in exchange for a fourth-round pick.
The Jags are parting with Foles just a year after signing the former Philadelphia Eagle to a four-year, $88million contract. He will now provide competition for Mitchell Trubisky, whose role as the Bears' starter is under threat after a disappointing 2019.
Foles' departure allows Gardner Minshew to step in as the starter in Jacksonville. Sixth-round pick Minshew outplayed Foles, who was limited to four games because of injury, last year and will now get the chance to prove he is the Jaguars' franchise quarterback.
Brady's last game as a Patriot came in a playoff defeat to the Tennessee Titans, who made the surprising decision to deal defensive lineman Jurrell Casey to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a seventh-round pick. Casey has at least five sacks in each of the last seven seasons.
The Detroit Lions were also involved in the trade market, acquiring safety Duron Harmon from the Patriots. Detroit agreed to a two-year deal with defensive linemen Danny Shelton. Both players have a connection with Lions head coach Matt Patricia from his time as New England's defensive coordinator.
Another former Patriot, center Ted Karras, is staying in the division, signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.
The New Orleans Saints are said to have agreed a deal to bring back safety Malcolm Jenkins after he was let go by the Eagles. Jenkins was drafted by the Saints in 2009 before leaving for the Eagles in 2014.
Their NFC South rivals the Carolina Panthers released safety Eric Reid, while the Atlanta Falcons inked edge rusher Dante Fowler to a three-year contract.
Leonard Floyd will fill the void Fowler's exit left for the Los Angeles Rams, who have re-signed guard Austin Blytheand veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth.
Elsewhere in the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks have brought back former first-round pick Bruce Irvin, the pass rusher who played a key role in their Super Bowl-winning 2013 season. Reigning NFC champions the San Francisco 49ers re-signed center Ben Garland to a one-year deal.
The Los Angeles Chargers may have missed out on Brady, but they have bolstered their defense with the signing of defensive tackle Linval Joseph. Cornerback Chris Harris also intends to sign with the Chargers.
Cornerback Eli Apple will play a part in the Raiders' first season in Las Vegas, while safety Sean Davis is headed to the Washington Redskins on a one-year deal.
As the world waits on Brady's next move after 20 seasons as a Patriot, the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers reportedly found new starting quarterbacks in Philip Riversand Teddy Bridgewaterrespectively.
Here, we wrap up some of the other big moves that were reported to have been agreed ahead of the new league year beginning on Wednesday.
Tight end Jason Wittenreturned to the Dallas Cowboys last season after a campaign in the broadcast booth and he will be back in 2020, but with the Las Vegas Raiders. Witten, Maliek Collins and safety Jeff Heath are all thought to be making the move from Dallas to Sin City. Linebacker Cory Littleton has also agreed terms with the Raiders, according to reports.
Vic Beasley, who led the league with 15.5 sacks in 2015, is said to be heading to the Tennessee Titans. The edge rusher has only had 18 sacks combined over the previous three seasons.
Having had 11.5 sacks in 2019 with the Cowboys, Robert Quinn's agents told NFL.com he is bound for the Chicago Bears on a five-year, $70million deal. Chicago have confirmed Leonard Floydhas been released.
Malcolm Jenkins, a key part of the Philadelphia Eagles when they won Super Bowl LII, has been released, though the team confirmed two other members of their defensive backfield, Jalen Mills and Rodney McLeod, had signed new deals.
Former Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, who spent last season with the Los Angeles Chargers, revealed he has been "reunited with my guy" Ron Rivera at the Washington Redskins.
The Chargers were busy making an acquisition themselves, bringing in offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga on a three-year, $30m deal, according to NFL.com. Who he will be protecting remains to be seen, though, with the Chargers considered one of the favourites in the Brady sweepstakes.
A day after handing receiver A.J. Green the franchise tag, the Cincinnati Bengals reportedly made two signings on the other side of the ball in nose tackle D.J. Readerand cornerback Trae Waynes.
The Jacksonville Jaguars bolstered their front seven by signing ex-Cleveland Browns linebacker Joe Schobert, while cornerback Darqueze Dennard is thought to be joining too.
Elsewhere, the San Francisco 49ers, the NFC representatives in last month's Super Bowl, confirmed they had tendered one-year contracts to restricted free agents Kendrick Bourne and Matt Breida.
Jenkins had a decorated career playing for the New Orleans Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles, winning Super Bowls with both.
The three-time Pro Bowler was a first-round draft pick by the Saints in 2009 out of Ohio State, spending five seasons in New Orleans before heading to Philadelphia.
Jenkins made 1,044 tackles across his career, in which he also recorded 21 interceptions and 110 pass breakups. He scored eight defensive touchdowns.
He took to Twitter on Wednesday to write: "Grateful. After 13 seasons, my time on the football field has come to an end. I'm just a boy from Piscataway, who through this game, became a champion in the sport and a champion for the people.
"My time on the field may be over, but I'll never stop fighting for the people."
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie was keen to pay tribute to Jenkins, saying in a statement. "In so many ways, Malcolm Jenkins defined everything we want a Philadelphia Eagle to be.
"He was talented, intelligent, versatile, and reliable. He was physically and mentally tough. He led with his words, with his actions, with the emotion he took to the field, and with the professionalism he brought every single day to our building."
After six seasons with the Eagles, Jenkins returned to the Saints in 2020 for a second stint.
New Orleans coach Dennis Allen was also full of praise for the 34-year-old, saying: "I recall when we first drafted Malcolm in 2009, he made contributions to a Super Bowl Championship team in multiple positions in the secondary and then pretty quickly developed into an outstanding safety.
"The combination of skill, awareness and intelligence allowed Malcolm to be in position to make plays all over the field. To put up the numbers he did for as long as he did speaks both to his talent and his commitment to his craft.
"He was also a great leader in the locker room and important contributor to the community. I'm proud to say that I had the opportunity to coach Malcolm and congratulate him on an excellent career."
Saints star Brees sparked backlash by saying he does not approve of people kneeling in front of the American flag during the USA national anthem in the midst of protests over George Floyd's death.
Floyd – an African-American man – died in Minneapolis after a police officer was filmed kneeling on his neck during an arrest last week.
Violent protests have broken out across the United States since Floyd's death, during which he was filmed crying out for help as he was handcuffed and pinned to the ground.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the anthem in 2016 to protest against police brutality and racial inequality, and Brees told Yahoo Finance on Wednesday that he believes the gesture is disrespectful to those in the military.
Jenkins – who has returned to the Saints after winning a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018 – hit out at Brees in a since deleted social media video.
"Our communities are under siege and we need help," Jenkins said via Instagram. "And what you're telling us is don't ask for help that way, ask for it a different way. I can't listen to it when you ask that way. We're done asking, Drew. And people who share your sentiments, who express those, and push them throughout the world, the airwaves, are the problem.
"And it's unfortunate because I considered you a friend. I looked up to you. You're somebody who I had a great deal of respect for. But sometimes you should shut the f*** up."
Saints safety Jenkins uploaded another video, and the tearful 32-year-old said: "Drew Brees, if you don't understand how hurtful, how insensitive your comments are, you are part of the problem.
"To think that because your grandfathers served in this country, and you have a great respect for the flag that everybody else should have the same ideals as and thoughts that you do is ridiculous.
"It shows that you don't know history, because when our grandfathers fought for this country and served, and they came back... they didn't come back to a hero's welcome. They came back and got attacked for wearing their uniforms. They came back to racism, to complete violence.
"Here we are in 2020 with the whole country on fire, everybody witnessing a black man dying, being murdered at the hands of the police, just in cold blood for everybody to see, the whole country’s on fire. And the first thing that you do is criticise one's peaceful protest?"
