Instead of signing a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers earlier on Wednesday, linebacker Eric Kendricks has chosen to join the Dallas Cowboys, sources informed ESPN's Adam Schefter.
According to sources who spoke with ESPN's Todd Archer, Kendricks and Dallas have a one-year contract.
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—wanted 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 injury during the season and DeMarvion Overshown suffered a knee injury 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 violation.
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.