Instead, linebacker Eric Kendricks has chosen to sign a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He had earlier on Wednesday committed to a one-year agreement with the San Francisco 49ers.

The Cowboys declared on Thursday that they had reached a deal with Kendricks. Todd Archer of ESPN was informed by insiders that his deal with Dallas is only for a year.

According to sources who spoke to Schefter, Kendricks favored to play in Dallas, and Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer—who coached the former Pro Bowl pick with the Minnesota Vikings from 2015 to 2021—wаnted the former Pro Bowl selection to assist in leading his defense.

With converted safety Markquese Bell starting at linebacker after Leighton Vander Esch had a neck ιnjury during the season and DeMarvion Overshown suffered a knee ιnjury during training camp, the Cowboys had a significant opening at that position to fill. As for Kendricks, they have someone who is familiar with Zimmer’s scheme and has been credited with more than 100 tackles in all but one of his nine seasons of play. Vander Esch is set to retire in the coming weeks.

Captain of the squad who ranked second in the Chargers’ tackle total from the previous campaign, Kendricks was cut by Los Angeles on March 5 due to a salary cap viоlatiоn. He had signed a two-year, $13.25 million contract with the team before the 2023 campaign. The release of Kendricks allowed the Chargers to save $6.5 million.

In 2023, the linebacker recorded three sacks and one forced fumble.

A second-round selection in 2015, Kendricks spent eight seasons with the Vikings till his release following the 2022 offseason. In 2022, he started every game for Minnesota and racked up a team-high 137 tackles.

In 2019, he was chosen for his lone Pro Bowl and was also named to the first team of the All-Pro team. In 132 games (127 starts), Kendricks has accumulated 1,036 tackles and 18.5 sacks during his career.