After failing to find a trade partner for Linebacker Mychal Kendricks, the Philadelphia Eagles decided to release the six-year veteran instead. Should the Dallas Cowboys come calling?
Eagles releasing veteran LB Mychal Kendricks, per source. Kendricks spent six years with Eagles; he’s not expected to be unemployed long.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 22, 2018
As Adam Schefter states, Mychal Kendricks isn’t expected to be unemployed very long. It’s very rare that someone as talented and consistent as Kendricks hits the open market this late in the offseason, but someone is going to scoop him up pretty quickly.
The Dallas Cowboys could definitely use someone of Kendricks pedigree to add to their mix of linebackers in 2018. There are a lot of questions surrounding the position and Kendricks’ addition would without a doubt fortify the position moving forward.
Right now, there is only one linebacker whose role is 100% set in stone, Sean Lee. He will once again start on the weak side (WILL), but we all know it probably won’t be for an entire season. His struggles to remain healthy are a concern, especially now Anthony Hitchens has moved on.
There are also questions surrounding where Jaylon Smith and the Cowboys rookie first-round pick Leighton Vander Esch will play. Many believe Smith will move to the strong side (SAM) and Vander Esch will start in the middle (MIKE). But, there are still concerns about Smith’s health and if Vander Esch is ready to start right away.
That is where Mychal Kendricks would definitely help. I believe he can play all three LB positions in the Cowboys 4-3 defensive scheme. And, his starting experience would allow the coaching staff to take the cautious approach with Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch.
I believe the Dallas Cowboys should absolutely be interested in a player of Kendricks caliber, but in the end it’s going to come down to money, as it always does. Unfortunately, Kendricks’ asking price is probably going to be too steep for the Cowboys.
Dallas has been more frugal with the way they spend their money these past few years. This likely means Cowboys fans shouldn’t get their hopes up that Mychal Kendricks will be wearing silver and blue anytime soon. But, it doesn’t hurt to pick up the phone to see what it would take to make him a Dallas Cowboy.
My first reaction is no. My second is… maybe.
Cost will be a primary factor. I doubt Kendricks will take a team friendly deal and Dallas still has a lot of steaks on the grill so to speak. On top of that, you’d have to give him multiple years and that would mean he starts. That means one of the current three sits. You don’t invest in the LB corps with 1st and 2nd round draft picks to sit them. And Sean Lee isn’t going to sit. If you got Kendricks, then Lee and Kendricks are on the field for nickel D and LVE and Jaylon are sitting on the bench 60% of the time.
So my last reaction is… no.
I can see both the positive and negative of bringing in Kendricks. Like you said, he would probably have to be a starter which would cut into Smith’s and Vander Esch’s playing time (negative). Of course you could start Kendricks at SAM and then have a rotation with Smith and Vander Esch at MLB. This could be a positive as it would keep them fresh and healthier for the entire season. In the end though, I think it’s going to cost too much which will put him out of the running with the Cowboys.
It Is A No Brainer Sign Linebacker Michal Kendrick , Right Now!!!! . We Need Badly In Our Linebacker Unit
# 2018 Superbowl
I don’t think the Cowboys need him badly, but he would definitely upgrade the LB position. Zack Martin will eventually get signed and I don’t really think any of the other players you mentioned would be an upgrade for the Cowboys. Maybe one of the TEs.
Safety T. J. Ward And Safety Ron Parker , Would Both Us Out Brian, Sir In The Back End Our Defense Allowing , Giving More Time To Our Front Seven Impede Put Max On The Imposing Quarterback Like # QB Aaron Rodgers , Tom Brady , Drew Bees , Etc…… We Need To Badly Improve Our Entire Defensive Unit Brian 1.Secondary Unit 2 . Linebacker Unit 3. Defensive Line Unit Sir Let’s Feed This Starving Dog If We Really And , Truly Want Win A Superbowl Anytime End The Near Future …….. If Not We Will Always Go Into Another NFL Season With Not Much Hope To Win A Superbowl An Possible Record Of 8 And 8 That Is Getting Very Old For Me We A Need A Fight Chance # Look At Roster Improvement Of The Philadelphia Eagles , Atlanta Falcons , Los Angeles Rams As Examples These Teams Are Saying To Everyone I Want To Win The Superbowl . 1 Team Has Won One , Another Team Should If Did Not Make Dump Mistake And , Los Angeles Rams Will Definitely In The For The 2018 Superbowl And , Philadelphia Eagles Could Repeat And , Dallas Cowboys Got To Do Something Right Now This Is Improve The Entire Defensive Unit ……… Brian
# Fan From The TrueBlue Cowboy Nation
# 2018 Superbowl
yes 100% with out a doubt. he has been on of my favorite players since coming out of college. i hated that he went to the eagles.
he’s a thumper who plays down hill, definitely someone we need in our rotation.
Start him at the MIKE, sharing time with LVE. we all know 50 is a risk to play the entire season, so having a vet like kendricks would be a huge asset for us.
I’d like to add them to the LB group as well, but he’s probably going to be out of the Cowboys price range.
We can count on Sean Lee being out. No brainer for a quality LB.