Tag: Chargers Eric Kendricks

LB Eric Kendricks sounds off on what led to decision to sign with Chargers

Linebacker Eric Kendricks spoke to the media on Monday.

The Chargers made just one external free agent signing, adding linebacker Eric Kendricks.

Kendricks returned to California, where he was born and played college football at UCLA after spending the past eight seasons with the Vikings.

Kendricks, 31, spoke with the media for the first time on Tuesday as the offseason program began, and elaborated on why he decided to come home.

“Honestly, they’re a good team,” Kendricks said. “They’re contenders, they have a good quarterback, a great coaching staff. Just having conversations with Coach Staley, I think the first time we talked, we maybe talked for an hour and a half. It was 11 p.m. and I got to know his personality a lot.”

Kendricks reunites with new linebackers coach Jeff Howard, who replaced Michael Wilhoite in that role. Howard spent seven seasons on Minnesota’s defensive staff as an assistant from 2015 to 2019, which was Kendrick’s first five years with the team.

“I’m glad that I can fit into this program, into this system, but also, I don’t have to do too much as I come in. I can get to know the guys, get to know the leaders on the team, like Khalil, and things like that and just play my role.”

Kendricks is one of the more decorated veteran linebackers in this league. And Brandon Staley couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to add not only his play-making to the positional room but his experience and leadership to replace Drue Tranquill, who signed with the Chiefs.

“This is my ninth year in the league. I’ve seen a lot. I’ve done a lot. Hopefully, my experiences can help everybody else around me. Like I said, I’m not pushing for that. I’m just going to come in here, be myself and play the game that I love to play.”

What the signing of LB Eric Kendricks means for the Chargers

It’s a homecoming for Eric Kendricks.

The Chargers made their only external move of the day late on Monday, securing a homecoming for former Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks.

Kendricks, who turned 31 in February, was a cap casualty for a Minnesota team embracing a youth movement at multiple positions. After cutting Kendricks on March 6, the Vikings also moved on from wide receiver Adam Thielen and cornerback Cameron Dantzler Sr. to prepare for the opening of free agency.

While he’s never quite matched the level of play that garnered 2019 All-Pro honors, Kendricks is a reliable tackler whose lowest single-season combined tackle number of 92 came as a rookie in 2015. Over the last two seasons, the UCLA product had over 130 combined tackles, culminating in a career high of 143 in 2021. He’s also stayed relatively healthy in his career, playing in double-digit games in each of his eight NFL seasons to date.

Schematically, Kendricks is a bit of an odd fit for the Chargers. While he still had over 130 tackles last season, his play was noticeably a step below his usual standard. It was his first experience with a Vic Fangio-style defense under since-fired coordinator Ed Donatell. The Chargers run a similar defense under Brandon Staley. Still, the 31-year-old brings spot-drop experience as a zone defender and is a sure tackler in the run game, the latter point of which is especially salient for a Chargers team that struggled to bring opposing ball carriers to the ground.

Twitter reacts to Chargers signing LB Eric Kendricks in free agency

Here is a look at how the general population reacted to the news of Eric Kendricks joining the Chargers.

The Chargers have made their first move to retool their roster ahead of the 2023 season, as they’re expected to sign former Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks.

Kendricks, 31, was selected by Minnesota in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. His best season came in 2019 when he was named to the Pro Bowl and earned first-team All-Pro recognition. He led the team in tackles in seven of his eight years with the team.

This past season, he started in all 17 games, where he tallied 124 tackles and one sack.

With Drue Tranquill being a free agent and probably going to sign with another team after this move, the addition of Kendricks means he will be one of the starting linebackers alongside Kenneth Murray next season.

Here’s how Twitter is reacting to the Bolts signing Kendricks: