The Dallas Cowboys were utterly dormant for the first three days of free agency. Their lone move came in the form of re-signing long-snapper Trent Sieg. Mercifully, the drought ended Wednesday night after the Cowboys swooped in at the eleventh hour and swiped linebacker Erick Kendricks from the 49ers.
Stealing from a rival in San Francisco makes the signing all the more triumphant. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Kendricks agreed in principle with the 49ers on a one-year contract to help offset the loss of Dre Greenlaw, who suffered a torn Achilles in the Super Bowl.
Ultimately, Kendricks' ties to Mike Zimmer convinced the former All-Pro to spurn San Francisco for Dallas, where he reportedly preferred to go anyway.
From a personnel standpoint, Kendricks represents a major upgrade to the Cowboys current assortment of linebackers. Fans are already embracing the 33-year-old vet and they'll be more inclined to do so following his reactions on social media after he signed his contract.
First, Kendricks shared a photo on Instagram of him riding a horse with a clever caption.
#Cowboys Eric Kendricks, alluding to his new destination in Texas, says he “Need to put in some more work” when riding a horse.
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) March 14, 2024
I’m sure a place in Dallas will be willing to help him out 😅🤟
(📸: @erickendricks6 on IG) pic.twitter.com/Ev6apV68Ik
Eric Kendricks had the perfect reaction to signing with the Cowboys
It sure looks like Kendricks is happy to be a Cowboy. Horse-riding isn't common amongst Cowboys players, but luckily for Kendricks new teammate Brandin Cooks was fine-tuning his horse-riding skills earlier this offseason.
Cooks is already a skilled archer and can even pilot a plane. Teaching Kendricks the ins and out of riding horseback should be a walk in the park.
Regardless, Kendricks is embracing his high-profile move to Texas. Shortly after the move was reported, Kendricks' wife, Aly, posted a video to Instagram of Kendricks rocking a Cowboy hat. The linebacker even gave us a subtle hat tip. Aly Kendricks even had Beyonce's "Texas Hold 'Em" playing in the background.
#Cowboys Eric Kendricks already seems prepared for the move to Texas.
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) March 14, 2024
His wife, Ally, posted the playful video of him in a Cowboy hat after the signing was announced.
She added, “he’s ready y’all.” 🤟
(🎥: @ allykendricks on IG) pic.twitter.com/WnpEIaqYqE
Just like Adam Schefter reported, Kendricks wanted Dallas all along.
Kendricks might have a long way to go as a horse-rider, but he's going to move mountains on Zimmer's defense. The former All-Pro will presumably wear the green dot as the Cowboys' field general. He'll also play an influential role in relaying Zimmer's scheme to his new teammates.
There's a reason this move has received universal praise by fans and the media. The Cowboys desperately needed a linebacker and Kendricks is the most reliable linebacker Dallas has had since Sean Lee.
The Cowboys have taken their fair share of slings and arrows amid an inactive free agency, but it's hard not to be excited about this move.