To no one’s surprise, former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks is still a free agent as NFL Training Camp is around the corner. Nate Bouda of NFLTradeRumors made a list of the top 100 free agents, and Kendricks is one of the several players who are still available on the market. Originally selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the former UCLA product became arguably one of the best pass-rushers in the league after spending the majority of his time with the Minnesota Vikings. Kendricks recently got an opportunity to salvage the Cowboys’ defense last year under former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
However, they didn’t keep either one of them for their defense moving forward since firing Zimmer and replacing him with new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Still, Kendricks has a lot left in the tank after recording 138 tackles, two interceptions and three sacks with the Cowboys last year in 15 games, so there’s still some life in him. The linebacker won’t garner the best available contract since no NFL team wants to make a huge investment in a 33-year-old player, but Kendricks could earn a one-year deal at best to salvage the pass-rushing unit of a roster that is struggling. It’ll be interesting to see what type of interest he gets, but he should receive some type of market right before the 2025 season starts, and it shouldn’t be surprising if these two teams could look into signing him.
Chargers, Ravens Could Target Top 15 Free Agent Eric Kendricks
Helping Harbaugh’s Trenches
While the Los Angeles Chargers could look to bolster their offense, the team hasn’t made any alternating moves to improve its defense since they lost Poona Ford and Morgan Fox in one offseason. Despite the team re-signing Teair Tart and acquiring Da’Shawn Hand, these two won’t be able to keep this defense as the same they was last season. Khalil Mack is the oldest player on this roster, and they need a reliable linebacker to help solidify the pass-rushing unit.
Meanwhile, Harbaugh claims he wants to win football games in the trenches, but where are the massive moves to make that happen? The team re-signed Bud Dupree, but he’s washed up, and guys like Tuli Tuipulotu and Daiyan Henley are in an even worse situation than they were last year when they had Joey Bosa before his release. Mack is good, but he isn’t god, so they need someone to provide some temporary relief, and this could be the perfect time to acquire Kendricks in a reunion that could restore the chemistry he had with the Chargers.
Improving Ravens’ Defense
However, the Baltimore Ravens are in dire need of a linebacker. While Roquan Smith, Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh are the only ones that keep this team together, they could use a replacement for Trenton Simpson after having one of the worst seasons in his career. Oweh and Van Noy are entering the final years of their contract, and since Van Noy is older, it is more likely that they will extend Van Noy, since no one will give him a massive deal.
This means they might have a chance to sign Kendricks to a temporary, cheap contract. The Ravens do well bringing in veterans, and this might be what Baltimore needs to push for a Super Bowl appearance under the Lamar Jackson era.
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