Dallas Cowboys join free agency party, sign LB Erick Kendricks to a position of need
The Dallas Cowboys finally joined the free agency party Wednesday night at a huge position of need when former Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks decided to take a one-year deal while backing out of an agreement with the San Francisco 49ers.
Kendricks is the first signing for the Cowboys during free agency and they were the last team in the NFL to come terms with a player outside of the organization.
The move reunites Kendricks with Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who coached him with the Minnesota Vikings from 2015 to 2021.
“With our cap situation, we want to make sure where we want to allocate things,” vice president Stephen Jones said. Certainly, playing under Mike influenced us in a big way. I’ve gotten to talk to Eric. I just think he’s gonna be a great fit. And he’ll walk right in and be one of the leaders on this defense right away. He knows exactly what Mike’s trying to accomplish with this defense. So he’ll know it as well as anybody and certainly understands the whole defense. I just felt like it was a fit for us.
“I have nothing but respect for the 49ers. But I think he was comfortable playing here.”
With Leighton Vander Esch expected to retire and Markquese Bell likely moving back to safety, the Cowboys have a major hole to fill at linebacker in hopes of improving a run defense that proved to be a major weakness in 2023.
Kendricks gives Zimmer an experienced veteran who is familiar with his scheme to help run the defense.
Kendricks, 32, has recorded at least 100 tackles in seven straight seasons.
He left the Vikings following the 2022 season, signing a two-year deal with the Chargers.
He finished second on the Chargers with 117 tackles last season but was a salary cap casualty on March 5. The Chargers saved $6.5 million with Kendricks’ release.
Look for Kendricks to start in Dallas alongside Damone Clark and DeMarvion Overshown, who missed the 2023 season with a torn ACL.
The Cowboys continued their proverbial frenzy on Thursday with the re-signing of slot cornerback Jourdan Lewis to a one-year deal.
Lewis started eight of the 16 regular season games he played in 2023 and finished the year with 52 tackles, an interception, five passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
With Trevon Diggs returning from a torn ACL and All-Pro DaRon Bland coming off a career season, the Cowboys have their top three cornerbacks under contract.
The addition of Kendricks and Lewis offsets another Cowboys departure in free agency.
Defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, who has spent the past four seasons with the Cowboys after they made him a third-round pick, agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins.
Gallimore made no starts last season but played 288 snaps in 17 games. He totaled 16 tackles and a sack.
In his four seasons, he has 90 tackles, four sacks and nine quarterback hits. He has 14 starts in his career.
It’s another blow to the depth on the Cowboys defensive line following the departures of defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler to the Washington Commanders.
This story was originally published March 13, 2024 at 10:21 PM.
