It has been well over a year since linebacker Mychal Kendricks was supposed to have his sentencing hearing after pleading guilty in September 2018 to insider trading.
However, another postponement means that Kendricks, who is a free agent after playing the past two years for the Seattle Seahawks, won’t be sentenced until May 29 at the earliest.
It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic and the mass closure of business and government offices around the United States have anything to do with the latest delay.
Regardless, it will force teams that are considering signing Kendricks to weigh the fact he could face jail time in the near future.
Kendricks faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, although his co-defendant, TV writer Damilare Sonoiki, was sentenced to three years of probation. That’s a likely scenario for Kendricks, and one that should allow him to continue playing in the NFL.
The 29-year-old linebacker played in 18 games for the Seahawks but suffered a season-ending injury both years. He is recovering from an ACL injury and seems unlikely to re-sign with Seattle after the emergence of Cody Barton as a viable Sam linebacker.
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