The Dallas Cowboys made their first outside free agent signing on Wednesday, acquiring a linebacker. Eric Kendricks He escaped the 49ers in the 11th hour. Kendricks joined the Cowboys after a one-year stint with the LA Chargers.
He joined the Minnesota Vikings as a second-round pick out of UCLA in 2015 and made an impact each season before joining the Chargers as a free agent last year. In 2023, he recorded 117 tackles, 3.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, and one forced fumble in 15 games.
Kendricks started all but three games he played in Minnesota. The linebacker has been an impact player since he was a rookie. In 17 games in 2022, Kendricks had 137 tackles and eight tackles for loss.
In the first nine years of his career, Kendricks has 1,036 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 57 lost tackles, five forced fumbles, six recoveries and nine interceptions. He also played in three postseason games, recording 19 tackles, one sack, and one interception. He earned All-Pro First Team honors after the 2019 season and was also nominated for the Pro Bowl.
Kendricks was a mainstay on the Minnesota Vikings' defense when Mike Zimmer, who was hired as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator, was the head coach. Considering his availability this season and Dallas' need at linebacker, it's no surprise that Zimmer wanted to reunite with the veteran. Even with the addition of Kendricks, the team will need to draft a linebacker who can contribute in 2024.
Cowboys await decision on Leighton Vander Esch
Before the Cowboys begin making picks in next month's NFL Draft, the team needs to know the linebacker's status. Leighton Vander Esch.
Vander Esch was placed on Injured Reserve after Week 5 due to a neck injury and did not return to the active roster. At the time, there were concerns that the injury would not only cause the former first-rounder to miss the remainder of the season, but could end his NFL career.
On Tuesday, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones offered little in the way of specific updates regarding “Wolfhunter.”After revealing that linebacker Demarvion's Overshow and cornerback Trevon Diggs Jones said he expects to be fully back in time for training camp. Until Vander Esch To share updates on his health. Unfortunately, it appears the veteran linebacker is considering his possible retirement before his seventh season.
“Let Leighton talk about that,” Jones said. “What's bothering him is the injury issue. He'll talk about it.”
Through the first five games of the 2023 season before his injury, Vander Esch recorded 30 tackles, including 17 solo stops. He also recovered one fumble. He still has one year left on his two-year, $8 million contract.
