The long wait for Dallas Cowboys fans is over; the team has signed their first free agent.
It is former Vikings and Chargers Linebacker, Eric Kendricks.
Predictably, this signing did not come without some flare to it, as it was reported Kendricks would be signing with the San Francisco 49ers before changing his mind and heading down south to Dallas.
This move was forecasted earlier in the offseason, as Kendricks has a long history with the newest member of the Cowboys coaching staff, Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer.
Zimmer first drafted Kendricks into the NFL in 2015; the two would go on to spend seven seasons together, one of which was an All-Pro year in 2019.
As the Cowboys start a new defensive era under Zimmer, it is clear that getting “his guys” is a top priority. The defensive personnel that Dallas built under Dan Quinn no longer matches the scheme they are running.
While Kendricks is a fit under Zimmer, it is important to note this is not a guy in his prime.
Let’s discuss the reasons behind this move and the expectations for the newest Cowboys linebacker heading into the 2024 season.
Why Sign Kendricks?
The question that will be on fans’ minds with this one, other than the shock that the Cowboys signed someone, is why are they targeting a linebacker with so much tread on his tires rather than a younger option.
Kendricks is heading into his age-32 season, and simply put, he is not going to bring the same kind of ability to the field that he once did.
That is not what Dallas is signing him for, however.
One could argue if Kendricks was in his prime, the Cowboys would have been “priced out” from signing him at all.
Dallas sought out Kendricks as a consistent tackler, one that has put up over 100 total tackles for eight straight seasons, and as a leader in a defense that is heading in a new direction under Zimmer.
It is hard to overstate just how important it is that the Cowboys got a linebacker with experience in the Zimmer system.
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This is a move that is about familiarity with a new system and consistency on the field.
Nobody in the free agent market can give the Cowboys those two things combined like Kendricks can.
The Money Side
As much as fans hate to hear it, Kendricks can also give Dallas something that other options can’t.
He is going to be a relatively cheap signing.
As we have seen, the Cowboys are in no mood to spend big money, and with this move, they don’t have to.
The financial details of the Kendricks deal are not out yet, but it is a 1-year contract.
At this point in his career, Kendricks is not going to be a cost-heavy option, and that might be an even bigger selling point for Dallas than his experience with Zimmer and his ability to rack up tackles season after season.
Dallas, as it stands right now, is in a salary cap crunch. They have just about $2M in space and this move will not eat into that much.
It is important to note that the Cowboys are in that situation by choice, as they could easily clear a ton of cap space with extensions and cuts; they just have not done that.
Regardless of whether or not Dallas should spend more, signing Kendricks puts a cheap contract on the books, which is never a bad thing.
Performance Expectations
As I mentioned, this is not a guy in his prime, but it is also not entirely about his experience with Zimmer and his leadership qualities; Kendricks can still play.
His tackling numbers are impressive, but he is still a force in the backfield as well.
Kendricks had 3.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss in his lone season with the Chargers in 2023. Dallas has been on the hunt for a linebacker with pass-rush ability and experience, and they just got one.
You can expect Kendricks to be the leader on the defense for Dallas, essentially filling the Leighton Vander Esch role.
He is going to be the guy on the field with the earpiece calling out the plays.
This is just as important as anything when it comes to Kendricks joining the roster. Vander Esch’s expected retirement takes away the leader on defense for the Cowboys.
Kendricks has also never played in less than 14 games in his nine-year career, and we know at linebacker the Cowboys need availability more than anything.
Don’t let the naysayers and Kendricks’ age get you down about the Cowboys’ first signing.
This is a quality move for Dallas that gets the ball rolling on a new defensive era under Zimmer.