The Minnesota Vikings have worked through no shortage of injuries, leading to some questions about the linebacker spot. Meanwhile, the […]
The Minnesota Vikings have worked through no shortage of injuries, leading to some questions about the linebacker spot.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers are untangling its own linebacker issue, leading one to wonder about Eric Kendricks. The NFL’s official social media passed along the news: “49ers LB Fred Warner to undergo surgery on broken, dislocated ankle. He’ll be out for the year per Kyle Shanahan.”
Eric Kendricks & The 2025 NFL Season
Consider that Mr. Kendricks has already been in the news recently.
On October 1st, Tom Pelissero sent along word of the veteran linebacker saying no to the Ravens: “Eric Kendricks declined an offer to start out on Baltimore’s practice squad and is headed home this morning. Offseason shoulder surgery kept him out, but he’s in peak shape now and determined to keep playing. He has 1,174 tackles over 10 years, including 138 last season.”
Few have risen to the level of play that Mr. Kendricks offered in his prime.
The smaller ‘backer proved to be a fantastic fit in the modern NFL. His pass coverage was excellent and so, too, was he very good against the run. The 2019 season involved him being sent to the Pro Bowl while being named as a first-team All Pro. His year finished with picking up 110 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 2 QB hits, 12 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles.
Initially, Eric Kendrick survived the switch over to the Kevin O’Connell era — complete with the disastrous Donatell defense — but was then shown the door after appearing to be in decline. Minnesota opted to save money in a cost-savings move.
Kendricks then journeyed to Los Angeles to become a Charger. Afterwards, there was a journey to Dallas to work under Mike Zimmer yet again.
The 2024 season was impressive statistically. The linebacker had 138 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 3 passes defended. Zim likely wouldn’t approve of turning to PFF for insight, but the analytics website gave Kendricks a very healthy 75.2 grade for the 2024 season.
The 49ers aren’t the perfect team. They are, however, one of the most successful teams in the NFL over the past decade. Sitting at 4-2, the 49ers are in a tie for 1st place in the very competitive NFC West.
Losing Warner is a major setback, the kind of injury that basically can’t be overcome. Nobody is going to be capable of giving San Francisco a one-for-one replacement. One nevertheless wonders if Eric Kendricks would be as good of a solution as there is.
The 33-year-old doesn’t lack for intelligence or leadership. He’s originally from California and went to school at UCLA, meaning there’s a local connection. Plus, one has to assume that he’s interested in playing for a team that has a chance. The defender has never won a Super Bowl.
Last year, Eric Kendricks worked under a single-season deal in Dallas for a financial commitment coming in at just $3,000,000. San Francisco is presently perched atop more than $24 million in open cap space.
Recently, the Vikings have turned back the clock at linebacker. Anthony Barr was employed in Minnesota in 2023 (ironically, after a stop in Dallas). There’s then the current reliance on Eric Wilson, someone who has been playing well in the Twin Cities.
Seeing the Vikings make a move for Eric Kendricks would be surprising. Nevertheless, there’s a world where welcoming back the excellent veteran does make some sense.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
