Cowboys swipe Eric Kendricks from 49ers in free agency shocker
After the Dallas Cowboys have continuously been clowned on for not making a move in free agency, a move has finally been made and it's a good one. Not only did the Cowboys land a free agent but they pried him away from a hated rival, the San Francisco 49ers. Eric Kendricks had previously agreed to sign with the 49ers but changed his mind and will now be headed to Dallas.
Another change of heart: after agreeing to a deal with the 49ers, former Chargers and Vikings LB Eric Kendricks has decided to go to the Dallas Cowboys instead, per sources. Mike Zimmer wanted Kendricks to help run his defense and Kendricks preferred to play in Dallas. https://t.co/NfBUIPT0c6
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2024
Kendricks, a second-round pick by the Vikings in 2015, spent the first eight years of career in Minnesota and then signed with the Chargers last year. He was released as one of the Chargers' many cap casualties. Kendricks just turned 32 years old last month but has had over 100 tackles in all but one of his nine seasons.
Eric Kendricks spurns 49ers, joins Cowboys instead
Kendricks was phenomenal for the Chargers in 2023, finishing the year with a respectable PFF grade of 72.3 and a shiny run-defense grade of 73.6. As Schefter noted in the tweet above, Mike Zimmer wanted Kendricks to help the Cowboys run defense and it's clearly something he thrives in. Zimmer and Kendricks have a lengthy history together, as the two spent seven years together in Minnesota.
This is not only a great move for the Cowboys (and gets them on the board, nonetheless) but it has to feel good for Cowboys fans to see Kendricks spurn the 49ers and join Dallas.
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