Linebacker Eric Kendricks, who earlier on Wednesday agreed to a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, has decided to join the Dallas Cowboys instead.
On Thursday, the Cowboys announced they had agreed to terms with Kendricks. Sources told ESPN’s Todd Archer that his deal with Dallas is for one year.
Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who coached Kendricks with the Minnesota Vikings from 2015 to 2021, wanted the former Pro Bowl selection to help run his defense and Kendricks also liked playing in Dallas, sources told Schefter. told.
The Cowboys had a big hole to fill at linebacker after using converted safety Marquise Bell at that spot after losing Leighton Vander Esch to a neck injury during the season and DeMarvion Overshon to a knee injury in training camp. Vander Esch is expected to retire in the coming weeks, but with Kendricks, they have someone who knows Zimmer’s scheme and has him credited with over 100 tackles in all but one season in his nine-year career. Has gone.
A team captain who finished second on the Chargers with 117 tackles last season, Kendricks was made a salary cap casualty by Los Angeles on March 5 after joining the team on a two-year, $13.25 million contract before the 2023 season. Was released as. The Chargers saved $6.5 million with Kendricks’ release.
The linebacker had 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 2023.
Kendricks, a 2015 second-round pick, played eight seasons for the Vikings before being released after the 2022 offseason. He recorded a team-leading 137 tackles while starting all 17 games with Minnesota in 2022.
He was selected to his only Pro Bowl in 2019, when he was also a first-team All-Pro selection. For his career, Kendricks has 1,036 tackles and 18.5 sacks in 132 games (127 starts).
ESPN’s Chris Rimm contributed to this report.
