The Cowboys entered the offseason needing to add a veteran linebacker to the middle of their defense, and they did just that on Day 3 of NFL free agency.
Just 13 hours after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that former All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks was signing a deal with the San Francisco 49ers, Schefter reported Wednesday evening that Kendricks had a 'change of heart' and will sign with Dallas instead.
Kendricks, 32, was selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of UCLA by the Minnesota Vikings. He spent the first seven years (8 total) of his career playing for head coach Mike Zimmer, who was hired as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator last month. Kendricks was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2019.
Kendricks spent the 2023 season with the Chargers after being cut by the Vikings in a cost-saving move. He started 14 games for Los Angeles and posted 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He has recorded more than 100 tackles in eight consecutive seasons.