FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have made their first exterior transfer of free company, as they’ve agreed to phrases with nine-year veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks.
Kendricks, who initially selected to affix the San Francisco 49ers throughout the authorized tampering interval earlier this week, will as a substitute make his technique to Dallas the place he’ll reunite with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer after the previous Minnesota head coach drafted and helped develop the 2019 All-Professional into one of many prime center linebackers within the league.
After spending eight seasons in Minnesota, Kendricks spent 2023 with the Los Angeles Chargers earlier than being launched on March 5. He joins the Cowboys protection on the heels of eight consecutive seasons with 100-plus tackles.
The linebacker room was in dire want of assist going into the offseason after Markquese Bell was compelled to step up from the security place to play linebacker after the week 5 damage to Leighton Vander Esch.
With Vander Esch’s damage holding his future within the NFL within the stability, solely Damone Clark stays because the lone linebacker from the season’s closing 53-man roster. DeMarvion Overshown, who missed his complete rookie season with a torn ACL, is predicted to be cleared in time for coaching camp to make his contributions to the linebacker place.
The potential signing of Kendricks would add a dependable veteran to the center of the protection that has been identified for being a key management piece on Mike Zimmer’s defenses from their days in Minnesota. With or with out the return of Vander Esch, Kendricks offers reliability and IQ to the center linebacker spot in 2024.
The Cowboys have additionally stored an in depth have a look at the linebacker place within the upcoming draft, as they performed 5 formal interviews with linebacker prospects on the NFL Scouting Mix earlier this month.
Kendricks was a second-round decide of the Vikings in 2015 after a productive faculty profession at UCLA. His eight seasons in Minnesota noticed him play in 117 video games earlier than enjoying in 15 video games final season with the Chargers.