2019 Pro Bowl Linebacker Change His Mind and Signs with the Cowboys
Despite a disappointing 2023-24 season for the Los Angeles Chargers, which saw them finish the season with a 5-12 record and last place in the AFC West, 2019 Pro Bowl linebacker Eric Kendricks did not let the team’s lack of success get in the way of his own production on the field. In his one-year stint with the Chargers last season, Kendricks finished the season with 100 or more tackles for the eighth straight season in his career. Prior to free agency, the Chargers ultimately decided to release Kendricks due to cap space, as Kendricks was just one year into a two-year, $13.25 million contract that the two sides agreed to in 2023. Now, it was announced the other day that the San Francisco 49ers have signed Kendricks to a deal, but Eric changed his mind. Mike Zimmer defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys wanted Kendricks to help run the defensive plays, plus Eric preferred Dallas.
Prior to the NFL, Kendricks played in college at UCLA from 2010 to 2014. After a redshirt season in 2010, Kendricks finished his freshman season in 2011 ranking second on the Bruins in tackles with 77, tied for second with two sacks, and ranked fourth in tackles for loss with four and a half. In his four seasons at UCLA, Kendricks recorded 476 total tackles, 10 sacks, 26 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles. During his final collegiate season, Kendricks racked up the awards, as he was named First-team All-American and Second-team All-Pac-12 after having 11 and a half tackles for loss and setting the school record in career tackles at UCLA.
After declaring for the 2015 NFL Draft, Kendricks would be drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round with the 45th pick. The 2019 First-team All-Pro would spend his first eight seasons in the NFL with the Vikings, where Kendricks would prove himself to be one of the best linebackers in the league. In his eight seasons with the Vikings, Kendricks tallied 919 total tackles, 15 sacks, four forced fumbles, and nine interceptions. Kendricks would become the first rookie in Vikings history since 1961 during the 2015 season to lead the team in tackles with 92. After being released from the Vikings in 2023 and signing with the Chargers, Kendricks would continue his consistent linebacker production last season, as he accumulated 117 total tackles, three and a half sacks, one interception, and six passes defended.
