Cowboys to sign first free agent in former Chargers LB Eric Kendricks

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The Dallas Cowboys finally signed a free agent signing that didn’t involve bringing back one of their own. Linebacker Eric Kendricks signed with the team. Terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed and the Cowboys will need to clear some cap space before making things official. Kendricks gets to reunite with new Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. The two were in Minnesota together for seven years when Zimmer was the head coach of the Vikings. That connection led to speculation that Dallas could be interested. The 32-year-old linebacker was expected to sign with the San Francisco 49ers but a change of heart landed him in 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 Minnesota drafted Kendricks in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He made the Pro Bowl and was named First-Team All-Pro back in 2019. The nine-year veteran has an eight-year streak of 100+ tackle seasons, including 117 stops for the Los Angeles Chargers last season before being released as the new league year began. Because he was released, Kendricks will not impact the compensatory pick formula for Dallas. With Markquese Bell expected to move back to the secondary, Kendricks is a much-needed veteran at a position of need for Dallas. The Cowboys ended the season giving up 143 yards on 33 carries to the Packers in their wildcard round loss. The 4.3 yards per carry they averaged is the biggest task on Zimmer’s agenda. While Kendricks is on the downside of his career, he still understands the nuances of a Mike Zimmer defense. That added knowledge will be key when implementing the new philosophy to the rest of the defenders. Learning curves are different for each player and having a guy in the room with experience shortens the route.
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