Frisco, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys have made their first outside move heading for free agency, as they have agreed to terms with nine-year veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks.
Kendricks, who initially opted out of joining the San Francisco 49ers during the legal tampering period earlier this week, will instead make his way to Dallas where he is looking forward to being drafted by the former Minnesota head coach and the 2019 All-Star Game. Will be reuniting with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer after helping develop the . Pro one of the top middle linebackers in the league.
After spending eight seasons in Minnesota, Kendricks spent 2023 with the Los Angeles Chargers before being released on March 5. He led the Cowboys defense with eight consecutive seasons with over 100 tackles.
The linebacker room was in dire need of help in the offseason as Marquez Bell was forced to move from the safety position to play linebacker following an injury to Leighton Vander Esch in week five.
With Vander Esch’s injury to his future in the NFL, Damon Clark remains the only linebacker left off the final 53-man roster for the season. DeMarvion Overshon, who missed his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL, is expected to be cleared in time for training camp to contribute at the linebacker position.
The potential signing of Kendricks would add a reliable veteran to the middle of the defense who is known as a key leader in Mike Zimmer’s defense since his days in Minnesota. With or without Vander Esch’s return, Kendricks provides reliability and IQ at the middle linebacker spot in 2024.
The Cowboys have also taken a close look at the linebacker position in the upcoming draft, as they conducted five formal interviews with linebacker prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month.
Kendricks was a second-round pick of the Vikings in 2015 after a productive college career at UCLA. In his eight seasons in Minnesota he played in 117 games before playing 15 games last season with the Chargers.
