Eric Kendricks pivots from 49ers, agrees to terms with Cowboys

Instead, linebacker Eric Kendricks has chosen to sign a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He had earlier on Wednesday committed to a one-year agreement with the San Francisco 49ers.

The Cowboys declared on Thursday that they had reached a deal with Kendricks. Todd Archer of ESPN was informed by insiders that his deal with Dallas is only for a 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 preferred to play in Dallas, sources told Schefter.

The Cowboys had a major hole to fill at linebacker after using converted safety Markquese Bell in that spot after losing Leighton Vander Esch during the season to a neck injury and DeMarvion Overshown 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 been credited with more than 100 tackles in all but one season in his nine-year career.

Captain of the squad who ranked second in the Chargers’ tackle total from the previous campaign, Kendricks was cut by Los Angeles on March 5 due to a salary cap violation. He had signed a two-year, $13.25 million contract with the team before the 2023 campaign. The release of Kendricks allowed the Chargers to save $6.5 million.

In 2023, the linebacker recorded three sacks and one forced fumble.

A second-round selection in 2015, Kendricks spent eight seasons with the Vikings till his release following the 2022 offseason. In 2022, he started every game for Minnesota and racked up a team-high 137 tackles.

In 2019, he was chosen for his lone Pro Bowl and was also named to the first team of the All-Pro team. In 132 games over his career, Kendricks has 1,036 tackles and 18.5 sacks.