FRISCO, TEXAS — The Dallas Cowboys made their first outside free agent move, agreeing to a contract with nine-year veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks.
Originally opting to join the San Francisco 49ers during the legal tampering period earlier this week, Kendricks instead headed to Dallas, where he was drafted by the former Minnesota head coach and helped develop the 2019 All-League. He will be reunited with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. As a professional, he became one of the top middle linebackers in the league.
After eight seasons in Minnesota, Kendricks spent 2023 with the Los Angeles Chargers before being released on March 5th. He joined the Cowboys' defense with eight consecutive seasons of 100 or more tackles.
The linebacker room was in dire need of help heading into the offseason, as an injury to Leighton Vander Esch in Week 5 forced Marquez Bell to play linebacker from the safety position.
With Vander Esch's injury putting his future in the NFL in doubt, Damone Clark remains the only remaining linebacker on the season's final 53-man roster. Demarvion Overshawn, who missed his entire rookie season with a torn ACL, is expected to recover in time for training camp to contribute at the linebacker position.
A potential signing of Kendricks would add a reliable veteran to the middle of the defense, who was known as one of the key leadership figures on Mike Zimmer's defense since his time at Minnesota. With or without Vander Esch returning, Kendricks provides reliability and IQ at the middle linebacker spot in 2024.
The Cowboys also conducted five formal interviews with linebacker candidates at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month and continue to closely monitor the linebacker position in the upcoming draft.
Kendricks was a second-round pick of the Vikings in 2015 after a successful collegiate career at UCLA. He played in 117 games in eight seasons with Minnesota and 15 games with the Chargers last season.
