Eric Kendricks expected to sign with Cowboys after initially agreeing to terms with 49ers, per report

The NFL’s best rivalry just got juicier

There is a new chapter in the rivalry between the 49ers and Cowboys. NFL Media reports that former All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks, who was originally set to sign with the 49ers, is expected to sign with the Cowboys.

According to reports, the 49ers made a compelling offer to sign Kendricks, who finished the 2017 season with 117 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Nevertheless, Kendricks has finally made the decision to rejoin Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who was Kendricks’ head coach in Minnesota from 2015 to 21.

After playing for the Minnesota Vikings for the first eight years of his career, Kendricks became one of the NFL’s top linebackers and was selected to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro team in 2019. He spent 2023 with the Chargers after being waived as a cap casualty in the previous offseason. There, while playing in the heart of the defense, he recorded his ninth straight season with 100 or more tackles.

Kendricks was released again earlier this offseason as the Chargers worked their way toward clearing enough space to enter the new league year on Wednesday.

With the 49ers, Kendricks would have provided insurance in the event that star linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who tore his Achilles during the team’s Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs, is unable to return or is not at full strength early in the 2024 season.

Instead, Kendricks is expected to join a Cowboys defense that over the past three years has been led by standout linebacker Micah Parsons.

Why didn’t Eric Kendricks stick with the 49ers?
Eric Kendricks might have had a starting, full-time role on the 49ers at the start of the season while Dre Greenlaw was returning from the Achilles tear suffered in the Super Bowl. But he would have moved to the No. 3 linebacker spot — very much a part-time role — once Greenlaw was back on the field, and he simply may be getting a more prominent opportunity in Dallas.

When will Greenlaw return? He had surgery last month and there were no complications. It’s possible he’s back to full speed by the first week in September, although that would require an aggressive rehabilitation and the 49ers probably will want to take him along more slowly. Finding another veteran linebacker to step into what was going to be Kendricks’ role is part of the plan.