Eric Kendricks - Pro Football Rumors

LB Eric Kendricks Addresses Cowboys Deal

May 27th, 2024 at 4:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

Eric Kendricks had a deal in place to sign with the 49ers this offseason, but he ended up backing out of that agreement to join the Cowboys. The veteran linebacker reunited with Mike Zimmer in the process, and that was a factor in his decision to sign with Dallas.

“Yeah absolutely, I always appreciated Zim,” Kendricks said (via Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News). “Just the amount of defense I learned when I was underneath him. The way I watch film, the way we break things down, the install, a lot of things I learned from Zim and we had some good years and I can’t wait to continue that.”

Zimmer’s head coaching tenure of the Vikings came to an end when he was fired following the 2021 season. His dismissal (along with that of general manager Rick Spielman) came amidst reports of a rift between that pairing and the players. Kendricks himself publicly lamented the “culture of fear” which was in place under Zimmer. The latter was out of coaching for two seasons before taking the Cowboys’ DC gig.

Zimmer will be charged with replicating the success Dallas saw with Dan Quinn at the helm on defense; the unit ranked no worse than seventh in points allowed over the past three years. Linebacker is a spot filled with question marks going into 2024, though, and Kendricks figures to serve in a starting role. The 32-year-old took less money to join the Cowboys, eschewing what would have been a short-term gig as a first-teamer in San Francisco.

Kendricks had an eight-year run in Minnesota, starting 127 games along the way. He earned first-team All-Pro honors along with a Pro Bowl nod in 2019, and he has recorded at least 107 tackles every season since. The UCLA alum will see plenty of playing time in a linebacker unit which no longer includes the retired Leighton Vander Esch. Dallas will depend on Kendricks as an experienced producer alongside the likes of Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liufau. Any potential tension with Zimmer has been dealt with by now.

“I respect him fully,” Kendricks added. “We’re going to get this thing going. I had a talk with him this past weekend. We’re excited to have this opportunity to work together again and play off each other.”

49ers LB Dre Greenlaw Unlikely To Be Ready For Week 1

March 27th, 2024 at 10:33am CST by Sam Robinson

Dealt a strange blow when Dre Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear while trotting onto the field during Super Bowl LVIII’s first half, the 49ers attempted multiple insurance measures. The Eric Kendricks plan did not pan out, leading De’Vondre Campbell to San Francisco.

The eight-year veteran will be set to team with Fred Warner in the event Greenlaw’s rehab does not have him ready to play by Week 1. Although Greenlaw underwent surgery shortly after the Super Bowl, the recent LB pursuit would suggest the 49ers are concerned the longtime Warner sidekick will not be ready in time to start the season.

John Lynch said at this week’s owners meetings (via NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco) Greenlaw is aiming to be back on time, but the eighth-year GM indicated this also may lead to a situation in which the reserve/PUP list is needed.

Greenlaw will almost definitely begin training camp on the active/PUP list, but a shift to the reserve/PUP list would sideline him for at least four games. Early October would represent a near-eight-month recovery timetable. While some players have beaten that — including ex-49ers wideout Michael Crabtree back in 2013 — caution would make sense on the 49ers’ part.

Kendricks backed out of a 49ers agreement to sign with the Cowboys. The longtime Vikings linebacker reunited with new Cowboys DC Mike Zimmer, but the 49ers offered him a better deal than the one-year, $3MM ($2.5MM guaranteed) contract he inked with Dallas. Kendricks said the 49ers wanted him to start the season in Greenlaw’s place, a three-down role, before likely moving to a part-time gig once the regular starter came back. Campbell signed a one-year, $5MM contract ($4.56MM guaranteed) soon after Kendricks backtracked.

“I didn’t want to be in a situation where I was playing in a position all year and then had to potentially switch to another position — rotating in and out,” Kendricks said on the Bussin’ With Boys podcast (via the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch). “I wanted to be on the field. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to make an impact, and that’s why, ultimately, I had to make a change for myself.”

Kendricks joined a team with a greater need for a full-time linebacker, as Greenlaw should be expected to return at some point during the season’s first half. Crabtree went down in late May 2013 and returned in early December. The 49ers could opt to leave Greenlaw off the PUP list and go week to week, but their Kendricks communications suggest a Warner-Campbell setup at linebacker to start the year. Greenlaw is going into his age-27 season. Greenlaw’s two-year, $16.4MM contract expires after the 2024 slate, raising the stakes for the former fifth-round pick to recover and play well this season.

NFC East Notes: Reddick, Eagles, Burns, Giants, Kendrick, Cowboys, Commanders

March 21st, 2024 at 6:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles signed Bryce Huff and reached a reworked agreement with Josh Sweat. Brandon Graham is coming back for what would be a record 15th season with the franchise, and Nolan Smith is going into his second season. This setup would stand to point Haason Reddick out of town, and the Eagles recently made a contract adjustment that could help facilitate a trade. The team moved Reddick’s $1MM bonus, which was scheduled for March 15, to April 1, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler.

Reddick, 29, is due a $14.25MM base salary in 2024; that amount is almost entirely nonguaranteed. The Eagles gave Reddick permission to seek a trade ahead of free agency, and while the Philadelphia native said he did not request to be moved, the team’s other decisions at edge rusher may have made that decision already. Calls have come in, and it will be interesting to see what offers emerge. A team acquiring Reddick would likely be doing so with the intent of extending him, which will impact his value. He of back-to-back double-digit sack seasons and the driving force behind Philly nearly breaking the 1984 Bears’ single-season sack record in 2022, Reddick is tied to a $15MM AAV; that ranks 19th among edge defenders.

Here is the latest from the NFC East:

On the edge rusher topic, the Giants‘ Brian Burns extension is not quite as lucrative as initially reported. While the extension can be worth up to $150MM, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes its base value checks in at $141MM with $76MM fully guaranteed. The deal will pay out $90MM over the first three years. In terms of total guarantees, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan places that number at $87.5MM. Burns’ 2024 base salary is fully guaranteed, but his 2025 and ’26 numbers are not. Burns has $10.75MM of his $22.25MM 2025 base guaranteed at signing; his $22.25MM 2026 base is guaranteed for injury. The deal features a surprisingly flat structure that does not involve void years, giving the Giants — who would have Kayvon Thibodeaux eligible for an extension in 2025 — some flexibility down the road. Burns’ $28.2MM AAV tops T.J. Watt for second among edge defenders, but his full guarantee trails the Steelers All-Pro’s $80MM figure.
The Giants created some additional cap space Thursday, moving $10MM of Dexter Lawrence‘s base salary into a signing bonus. This will free up $7.5MM in space for New York, ESPN’s Field Yates tweets. The Giants did not move all of Lawrence’s 2024 base into a bonus, potentially leaving some room in case more funds are needed. Lawrence’s $22.5MM-per-year deal runs through 2027.
Eric Kendricks agreed to a one-year, $3MM Cowboys deal, and ESPN’s Todd Archer notes he accepted a lesser offer in order to rejoin Mike Zimmer in Dallas. The longtime Vikings starter had agreed to terms with the 49ers, but a lower cost of living — albeit for a player who has made $52MM in his career — and a familiar scheme will await him in Dallas. The 49ers moved on to De’Vondre Campbell.
While Devin White‘s Eagles contract can max out at $7.5MM, the33rdTeam.com’s Ari Meirov indicates the deal’s base value comes in at $4MM ($3.5MM guaranteed). This is a staggering drop for White, who had requested the Buccaneers trade him — as he pursued a top-market ILB contract — last year. The former top-five pick will follow the likes of Kyzir White, Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow as low-cost solutions on Philly’s defensive second level.
Frankie Luvu‘s Commanders contract can max out at $36MM, but KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes the base value is $31MM. Washington is giving the productive Carolina linebacker $14.6MM guaranteed at signing. Just $2MM of Luvu’s $8.5MM 2025 base salary is fully guaranteed. Another $4.5MM locks in on April 1, 2025. Clelin Ferrell‘s one-year Commanders pact is worth $3.75MM with $3.1MM guaranteed, per Wilson, who adds $1.5MM is also available via incentives. As for DB Jeremy Reaves, Wilson adds he re-signed on a two-year, $6MM contract. The Reaves deal includes $2.7MM guaranteed. Lastly, Jeremy Chinn‘s Washington deal includes a $4.12MM base salary ($3.5MM guaranteed), via Wilson.

Eric Kendricks Will Join Cowboys, Not 49ers

March 13th, 2024 at 6:52pm CST by Ely Allen

After reportedly agreeing to a one-year contract with the 49ers earlier today, veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks will instead sign with the Cowboys. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Kendricks had a change of heart, preferring to play in Dallas.

Kendricks was a cap casualty a week ago, getting released from his two-year contract with the Chargers after finishing second on the team in tackles. The nine-year veteran had secured $6.63MM per year after leaving Minnesota for the first time and rewarded Los Angeles with 117 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and six passes defensed. Pro Football Focus graded Kendricks as the 25th best linebacker in the NFL.

A key presence at middle linebacker during the Vikings’ Mike Zimmer era, Kendricks was tied to an eight-figure-per-year Minnesota deal two seasons ago. Kendricks, 32, has put together eight straight seasons with 100-plus tackles, mixing in 18.5 career sacks. He earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2019, helping the Vikings to the divisional round, while starting for four playoff teams from 2015-22.

Kendricks was set to add some depth at linebacker in San Francisco. The 49ers fielded one of the NFL’s better defenses last year but were thrown for a loop when Dre Greenlaw tore his Achilles tendon in the Super Bowl last year. San Francisco will now be forced to look elsewhere for that depth.

Instead, Kendricks is set to reunite with Zimmer, who takes over as defensive coordinator in Dallas this offseason. Zimmer sought an upgrade at middle linebacker on a defense that was stout against the pass but middling against the run. Kendricks should slot in as a starter between Micah Parsons and Leighton Vander Esch, ceding time here and there to Damone Clark. Due to his experience with Zimmer, though, expect Kendricks to play a larger role in Dallas.

49ers To Sign LB Eric Kendricks

March 13th, 2024 at 8:14am CST by Sam Robinson

A cap casualty for a second straight year, Eric Kendricks will once again secure an immediate opportunity elsewhere. The 2023 Chargers starter will head north.

The 49ers are adding the nine-year veteran linebacker, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. This comes after the Bolts moved on from Kendricks’ two-year contract last week. Kendricks will bring some insurance for the 49ers, who played most of Super Bowl LVIII without Dre Greenlaw, who suffered an Achilles tear while trotting onto the field. This will represent another California stop for Kendricks, a Fresno native who played collegiately at UCLA.

Last year, Kendricks commanded a two-year, $13.25MM Chargers deal shortly after his Vikings release. Last season, the eight-year Minnesota starter continued his run of solid production by registering 117 tackles (seven for loss) and 3.5 sacks. The former second-round pick added a forced fumble and six passes defensed, also finishing his season as Pro Football Focus’ No. 25 overall linebacker.

A key presence at middle linebacker during the Vikings’ Mike Zimmer era, Kendricks was tied to an eight-figure-per-year Minnesota deal two seasons ago. Kendricks, 32, has put together eight straight seasons with 100-plus tackles, mixing in 18.5 career sacks. He earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2019, helping the Vikings to the divisional round, while starting for four playoff teams from 2015-22. Kendricks figures to have another chance as a playoff contributor, but the 49ers have two three-down linebackers in place.

After one of the stranger injuries in recent NFL history, Greenlaw underwent surgery last month. The 49ers certainly missed their three-down ‘backer’s presence in a narrow loss to the Chiefs, and a reserve/PUP list stay — based on the timing of the injury — would not be out of the question. Kendricks would stand to serve as the team’s top Fred Warner complement in the meantime. Even if Greenlaw can recover in time for Week 1, the 49ers have a veteran in place as protection following the ill-timed setback.

Chargers Release LB Eric Kendricks

March 5th, 2024 at 3:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

A year after receiving the opportunity to return to Los Angeles, Eric Kendricks is out of a job. The Chargers released the veteran linebacker Tuesday.

In Tom Telesco‘s final offseason as Bolts GM, the team gave Kendricks a two-year, $13.25MM deal. The longtime Vikings starter was set to make $5MM in base salary next season. The Chargers will save $6.5MM by making this cut.

Jim Harbaugh‘s team still has work to do to reach cap compliance; the Kendricks release only moves the Bolts to $19MM over the 2024 cap. The Chargers are also in need of linebacker starters. Kendricks and Kenneth Murray operated as L.A.’s primary ILBs in 2023. Murray is days away from free agency.

A UCLA alum and a Fresno native, Kendricks received a quick opportunity to return to California last year. This marks his second straight offseason as a cap casualty, with the Vikings releasing the former All-Pro in 2023. Considering where the Chargers are cap-wise, it is unsurprising to see them follow suit.

Kendricks, who turned 32 last week, continued his run of solid production by registering 117 tackles (seven for loss) and 3.5 sacks. The former second-round pick added a forced fumble and six passes defensed, also finishing his season as Pro Football Focus’ No. 25 overall linebacker; PFF ranked Murray as one of the NFL’s worst full-time ILBs. The Chargers declined Murray’s fifth-year option in 2023.

It will take more maneuvering for the Chargers to create actual breathing room. Thanks to big contracts and 2023 restructures, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack combine to comprise $142MM on the Chargers’ 2024 cap sheet. Even with the cap spiking to $255.4MM, four players — two of whom over 30 — take up more than half the team’s payroll. Decisions will need to be made involving these cornerstones, with Kendricks more of a role player last season.

Kendricks may be able to generate interest elsewhere as he did in 2023, though his age will begin to work against him. The 2015 draftee has started 127 games during his nine-year career, earning an eight-figure-per-year Vikings extension in 2018. Kendricks started for four playoff-bound Minnesota teams, earning his lone Pro Bowl nod in 2019.

Chargers Rule Out RB Austin Ekeler For Week 2

September 16th, 2023 at 2:55pm CST by Ely Allen

It is now official that Chargers running back Austin Ekeler will miss his first game since 2020, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, due to an ankle injury that has been bothering him since the team’s loss to the Dolphins last weekend. Schefter also reports that defenders Eric Kendricks and Chris Rumph have been ruled out for tomorrow’s matchup in Tennessee, as well.

The loss of Ekeler is obviously the most significant, but last week’s game showed that Los Angeles may be set up well for his absence. While Ekeler showed his usual dual-threat impressiveness, rushing for 117 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown while adding 47 yards on four receptions through the air, backup running back Joshua Kelley was nearly as productive.

Kelley matched Ekeler’s 16 rushing attempts, amassing a still impressive 91 yards as a result and also scoring a touchdown. While Kelley hasn’t necessarily shown a similar aptitude for receiving out of the backfield in his career, backup running back and undrafted rookie Elijah Dotson was known for his versatility during his time with the Bears of Northern Colorado. In his final year of college football, Dotson caught 48 balls for 300 yards and two touchdowns. If the Chargers don’t want to shoulder Kelley with receiving back duties, Dotson should be more than capable of stepping in.

Highlighting the loss of Ekeler is not meant to minimize at all the loss of Kendricks. Kendricks is half of the team’s starting inside linebacker duo alongside Kenneth Murray. In last week’s loss to the high-powered Miami offense, Kendricks was one of only four defenders who played every defensive snap, the others being safeties Derwin James and Alohi Gilman and cornerback Michael Davis.

The Chargers didn’t see much action from backup off-ball linebackers in Week 1 at all. They do have depth at that spot on the roster, though. The three healthy options on the active roster (Tanner Muse, Nick Niemann, and Amen Ogbongbemiga) are all primarily special teamers who have played on defense sparingly throughout their respective careers. Los Angeles did use a third-round pick this year to acquire former Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley, but after failing to play in Week 1, Henley is listed as doubtful to make his NFL debut tomorrow.

As for Rumph, the third-year rotation edge rusher will have to wait at least one more week to make his season debut. The team will likely hope to be seeing the return of Ekeler and Kendricks by that time, as well, but for now, they’ll have to make do without two of their more talented starters. To help fill in this week, the Chargers promoted outside linebacker Brevin Allen and safety Dean Marlowe from the practice squad as standard gameday elevations.

Steelers Rumors: Peterson, Sutton, OL

March 30th, 2023 at 9:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

Still opting to conserve costs at cornerback, the Steelers let Cameron Sutton walk in free agency and replaced him with Patrick Peterson. While the latter’s resume laps Sutton’s, the new Pittsburgh cover man is going into his age-33 season. Peterson bounced back in Minnesota, intercepting five passes last season, and Mike Tomlin plans to take advantage of the All-Decade corner’s experience. Tomlin said he will not shy away from using Peterson around the formation, including at safety, this season. The 17th-year Steelers HC has discussed this with Peterson, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweets.

This would be a transition to monitor, and increased safety usage would be a way for Peterson to play well into his mid-30s. Rod Woodson, Charles Woodson and Ronde Barber transitioned to safety as their careers advanced; each Hall of Famer finished his career at the position. Peterson will have a Hall of Fame case when he retires; his Steelers tenure will help determine if he can ascend to first-ballot status. The Steelers have Minkah Fitzpatrick rostered at safety and have Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal at the position, with the latter agreeing to terms Thursday, whereas their corner group invites more questions. Citing Peterson’s intelligence, Tomlin is still planning to move the 13th-year defender off his usual boundary corner post at times.

Here is the latest out of Pittsburgh:

Sutton signed a three-year, $33MM deal with the Lions. While the Steelers expressed interest in keeping him on a third contract, Dulac notes their offer was not in this ballpark. Pittsburgh had kept Sutton on a two-year, $9MM deal in 2021; he outplayed that contract and will now be asked to be Detroit’s No. 1 corner. The Steelers gave Peterson a two-year, $14MM pact with just $5.9MM guaranteed; they still roster Levi Wallace and Ahkello Witherspoon, who are each on $4MM-per-year deals.
On the subject of rejected Steelers offers, the team is believed to have extended a proposal to Eric Kendricks. Pittsburgh has been connected to making a strong offer to Kendricks, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com writes. A UCLA alum, Kendricks will return to Los Angeles on a two-year, $13.25MM Chargers contract. The Steelers have still overhauled their linebacker group, cutting Myles Jack and letting Devin Bush leave for a Seahawks deal. Cole Holcomb (three years, $18MM) and Elandon Roberts (two years, $7MM) are now in the fold.
Shifting to the O-line, Tomlin offered support for scrutinized tackles Dan Moore and Chukwuma Okorafor by indicating he was “comfortable” with the starting duo, per Kaboly. Pro Football Focus rated both between No. 55 and No. 60 at tackle last season. The Steelers have added both Isaac Seumalo, whom Tomlin has not determined which guard spot he will play, and Nate Herbig this offseason but largely left the tackle spots alone. The Steelers, whom Kaboly notes were briefly tied to Orlando Brown Jr. during a free agency stretch that ended with Brown a Bengal, will be connected to tackles early in the draft. Though, the cornerback need may take precedence. Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock sends a corner (Maryland’s Deonte Banks) to Pittsburgh.
The team also added swingman Le’Raven Clark recently. A former Colts third-rounder who spent last season with the Titans, Clark signed a one-year, $1.2MM deal, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. The experienced O-lineman’s $50K signing bonus represents the only guarantees in this deal, which will qualify the eighth-year veteran as a competitor for a depth role.
The Steelers made a coaching tweak recently, promoting assistant outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin to OLBs coach, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com tweets. The former scout has been with the team eight years. Pittsburgh also hired Jason Brooks as a defensive quality control assistant; Brooks previously was on Baltimore’s staff.

Chargers To Sign LB Eric Kendricks

March 13th, 2023 at 7:47pm CST by Ben Levine

Eric Kendricks is heading to the west coast. The long-time Vikings linebacker is signing with the Chargers, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).

Kendricks agreed to a two-year deal worth $13.25MM, Rapoport adds (on Twitter). The UCLA alum will receive $6.75MM guaranteed, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets. The Chargers will have a decision to make ahead of this contract’s second year, with Wilson adding Kendricks is due a $1.5MM roster bonus on Day 3 of the 2024 league year.

The Vikings cut the veteran linebacker last week, providing the team with $9.5MM in cap relief. The move ended Kendricks’ eight-year stint in Minnesota that saw him collect at least 90 tackles each season. He earned a first-time All-Pro nod and a Pro Bowl appearance in 2019, and he’ll end his Vikings tenure with the third-most total tackles (919) and top-10 marks in tackles for loss (54) and passes defended (51).

Kendricks was set to enter the final year of a $50MM contract he inked with the organization in 2018. Thanks to a subsequent restructure, he was set to earn more than $11MM in 2023. The team decided to take the savings and move on from Kendricks as they look to revamp that side of the ball.

The Chargers will still be getting a highly productive linebacker. The 31-year-old finished the 2022 season with 137 tackles and eight tackles for loss, although Pro Football Focus only ranked him 50th among 81 qualifying linebackers.

Drue Tranquill was the Chargers’ most productive linebacker last season but is currently an unrestricted free agent. Kendricks could easily fill Tranquill’s role, but considering the team’s lack of depth at the position, it’s within the realm of possibility that the Chargers still retain their free agent.

Vikings Release LB Eric Kendricks

March 6th, 2023 at 8:04am CST by Adam La Rose

Cost-cutting season is in full swing, and the Vikings are parting ways with a mainstay of their defense. Minnesota is releasing linebacker Eric Kendricks, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). A team announcement has confirmed the move.

The 31-year-old has spent all eight seasons of his career in Minnesota, putting up consistent numbers throughout his tenure. He has started 113 of his 117 appearances with the Vikings, and racked up at least 100 tackles in all but his rookie campaign. He earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2019 after he notched a career-best 12 pass breakups, and remained a key contributor in the middle of the Vikings’ defense through the 2022 season.

That includes being on the field for over 1,000 snaps in each of the past two campaigns; over that stretch, Kendricks totaled 280 tackles, six sacks and a pair of interceptions. Those numbers speak to his value on the open market, which will likely see him earn a notable short-term deal in his next NFL home. They were not, on the other hand, sufficient for the Vikings’ front office to turn away significant cap savings brought on by this move.

Kendricks had no guaranteed money due for 2023, the final year of his $50MM extension signed in 2018. That contract was restructured one year later as Minnesota battled cap issues. As a result, the former second-rounder was set to count for $11.43MM on the books this season. By releasing him now, Minnesota will open up $9.5MM in cap space and incur a dead cap charge of only $1.93MM.

The Vikings entered Monday in the second-worst financial position in the league, so more similar decisions will likely be made. Minnesota, like all other teams, must become cap compliant by the start of the new league year (March 15), and have a number of other priorities this offseason. Those include new contracts for wideout Justin Jefferson and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson; the former could feasibly command the largest WR deal in the history of his position, which would obviously require significant flexibility on the team’s part.

It also comes as little surprise that the Vikings’ defense will look significantly different in 2023, with Kendricks (and, likely, a number of other veterans) absent. The unit ranked near the bottom of the league in many categories last offseason, and a rebound on that side of the ball will be needed to improve on the team’s overall 2022 performance. Kendricks, meanwhile, will join a LB free agent class which also includes the likes of Bobby Wagner, Tremaine Edmunds and Lavonte David, as he looks to start the next chapter of his NFL career.