According to sources — as well as Eric Kendricks and his wife Ally via Instagram — the veteran linebacker, initially set to ink a one-season contract with the San Francisco 49ers, has made a last-minute change. Reports now reveal that Kendricks has opted to join the Dallas Cowboys instead. The deal struck between Kendricks and Dallas is confirmed to be for one year, as disclosed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Todd Archer.
Additionally, reports state that Mike Zimmer — the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys who previously mentored Kendricks during their tenure with the Minnesota Vikings from 2015 to 2021 — expressed an interest in having the former Pro Bowl standout bolster his defensive unit.
The Cowboys found themselves facing a significant void at linebacker, having relied on converted safety Markquese Bell to fill the position following the losses of Leighton Vander Esch to a neck injury mid-season and DeMarvion Overshown to a knee injury during training camp. Speculation swirls around Vander Esch’s impending retirement in the coming weeks. However, with Kendricks now agreeing to join, the Cowboys have secured a seasoned player familiar with Zimmer’s defensive strategies. Impressively, Kendricks has recorded at least 100 tackles in eight of his nine seasons in the league.
Kendricks spent the 2023 season with the Los Angeles Chargers — his first season away from Minnesota. A team captain in Year 1, Kendricks finished the season with 117 tackles. With the Chargers attempting to improve their cap situation, however, Kendricks was released on March 5.
