Eagles, Mychal Kendricks Agree To Extension

The Eagles and linebacker Mychal Kendricks agreed to a four-year, $29MM contract extension, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). His deal includes a healthy $16.4MM guaranteed, a league source tells Caplan. 

There was a great deal of speculation throughout the offseason that the Eagles could move Kendricks. However, coach/chief decision maker Chip Kelly was adamant that Kendricks wouldn’t be going anywhere. Kelly changed up his roster quite a bit this spring, but he stayed true to his word when it came to the 24-year-old (25 in September).

Given that the Eagles made several additions at inside linebacker during the offseason, it was fair to speculate if Kendricks was a candidate to be dealt to another club. Philadelphia not only renegotiated veteran DeMeco Ryans‘ contract, ensuring that he’ll stay with the team in 2015, but traded for former Bill Kiko Alonso, signed ex-Packer Brad Jones, and drafted Jordan Hicks in the third round.

Reports earlier this year indicated that the Eagles did shop Kendricks during the draft, and were asking for as much as a second-round pick. Teams reportedly balked at the request, but Kendricks was also rumored to be part of a proposed package to acquire the No. 1 or No. 2 pick, in the hopes of selecting quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Kendricks has been a starting inside linebacker for the Eagles since entering the league as the 46th overall pick in 2012. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the former second-round pick was one of the league’s best ILBs last season, despite only playing 12 games — his grades as a pass rusher and in pass coverage were among the best at his position. He said during OTAs that he had not been approached about an extension, but it appears that things have changed over the last few weeks.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.