Eric Kendricks

The Minnesota Vikings are releasing veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Monday.

He should be an option for defenses looking to plug the middle of the field with a heady, sure-tacking veteran. At his peak, Kendricks was one of the most disruptive off-ball linebackers in the NFL, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2019. Kendricks was entering the final year of his contract with no guaranteed money left.

The Vikings announced Monday morning they've released the defensive veteran as they aim to shed contracts to get under the salary cap before the NFL league year ...

We especially appreciate his immediate contributions as an original member of the team’s social justice committee and his partnership with us in the fight against social and racial inequities. During my first year as head coach, Eric played a critical role as a captain and a member of the leadership council in helping establish the culture we want in Minnesota," O'Connell said. Off the field, Eric set an example for others with his passion for giving back and using his platform to drive positive change. He was also outspoken about the Vikings having a "fear-based organization" after Mike Zimmer’s firing following the 2021 season. "While he is best known as a play-maker and respected linebacker across the league, Eric’s contributions to the Vikings extend far beyond the field because of his selfless and unwavering commitment to improving societal issues. "It is extremely difficult to start more than 100 games in this league, but Eric has been a staple in the locker room since he entered the NFL.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings announced Monday that veteran Pro Bowl linebacker Eric Kendricks has been released. Head coach Kevin O'Connell says ...

I have the utmost respect for Eric and wish him and Ally, along with their growing family, continued success in their next chapter." The move was announced before free agency begins, and amid an expected rebuild on defense. "During my first year as head coach, Eric played a critical role as a captain and a member of the leadership council in helping establish the culture we want in Minnesota," O'Connell said.

The defense needs to get faster and more aggressive, and by moving on from long-time star and excellent leader Eric Kendricks they can achieve that.

That $23 million figure shocked a lot of observers, but the Vikings have never had trouble managing player payroll. Kendricks played with passion and intelligence, and he used his fame to help others. - Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell was passive and didn't improve as the season progressed. They entered the offseason needing to trim about $23 million. He dedicated himself to good works and was as down to earth as any Vikings star in recent memory. Releasing Kendricks saves them $9.5 million against the 2023 cap.

Minnesota cortó a su líder tacleador de la temporada pasada en un movimiento para liberar espacio en el tope salarial.

El receptor abierto veterano [Adam Thielen](/futbol-americano/nfl/jugador/_/id/16460/adam-thielen) y el corredor [Dalvin Cook](/futbol-americano/nfl/jugador/_/id/3116593/dalvin-cook) también podrían necesitar un ajuste en sus contratos para permanecer con el equipo en el 2023. Estoy agradecido de haber tenido la oportunidad de dirigir a Eric como jugador y llegar a conocerlo como persona". "Durante mi primer año como entrenador en jefe, Eric jugó un papel crucial como capitán y miembro del consejo de liderazgo para ayudar a establecer la cultura que queremos en Minnesota. El equipo tiene altas expectativas en el apoyador Brian Asamoah, reclutado en la tercera ronda del draft del 2022 y es probable que sea el reemplazo de Kendrick. "Si bien es conocido como un talentoso y respetado apoyador alrededor de la liga, las contribuciones de Eric a los Vikings se extienden mucho más allá del campo debido a su compromiso desinteresado e inquebrantable para mejorar los problemas sociales". Los Vikings tienen hasta el 15 de marzo a las 4:00 p.m.

Un pilar en la defensa del equipo durante las últimas ocho temporadas podrá firmar con una nueva franquicia antes del comienzo del nuevo año en la NFL.

Un pilar en la defensa del equipo durante las últimas ocho temporadas podrá firmar con una nueva franquicia antes del comienzo del nuevo año de la liga el 15 de marzo. "Si bien es mejor conocido como creador de jugadas y apoyador respetado en toda la liga, las contribuciones de Eric a los Vikings se extienden mucho más allá del campo debido a su compromiso desinteresado e inquebrantable para mejorar los problemas sociales. Un pilar en la defensa del equipo durante las últimas ocho temporadas podrá firmar con una nueva franquicia antes del comienzo del nuevo año en la NFL.

The Vikings save $9.5 million on the cap by releasing one of their top players of the last decade but have many decisions still to come.

Adam Thielen, Harrison Smith, and Dalvin Cook are among the veterans who could join Kendricks as cap casualties.

Eric Kendricks is known as a hard-hitting middle linebacker for the Vikings. He's also known in the Twin Cities as a philanthropist and community leader.

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks was informed of his imminent release on Monday, a move that saves the team $9.5 million in cap space.

The defense needs to get faster and more aggressive, and by moving on from longtime star and excellent leader Eric Kendricks they can achieve that.

That $23 million figure shocked a lot of observers, but the Vikings have never had trouble managing player payroll. Kendricks played with passion and intelligence, and he used his fame to help others. - Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell was passive and didn't improve as the season progressed. They entered the offseason needing to trim about $23 million. He dedicated himself to good works and was as down to earth as any Vikings star in recent memory. Releasing Kendricks saves them $9.5 million against the 2023 cap.

The Vikings released veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks on Monday as they work to get under the salary cap.

"During my first year as head coach, Eric played a critical role as a captain and a member of the leadership council in helping establish the culture we want in Minnesota. Veteran receiver [Adam Thielen](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/16460/adam-thielen) and running back [Dalvin Cook](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3116593/dalvin-cook) might also need to adjust their contracts in order to remain with the team in 2023. The team is high on linebacker Brian Asamoah, a third-round pick in 2022, and he is likely to be Kendricks' replacement. The futures of linebacker to get under the salary cap ($224.8 million). "While he is best known as a playmaker and respected linebacker across the league, Eric's contributions to the Vikings extend far beyond the field because of his selfless and unwavering commitment to improving societal issues."

Kendricks, who was a second-round selection in the 2015 NFL draft, spent the first eight seasons of his career in Minnesota. During this time, he developed into ...

In turn, the Bills could have a major need at the linebacker position. Now in his absence, the team must find a way to address the position. The addition of Eric Kendricks would give the Rams a proven and established playmaker at the position. The Bills could look to address the position through the draft, but free agency could also be an option. In just five seasons, Edmunds has proven to be one of the game’s most elite linebackers. The Rams struggled heavily in 2022, finishing the season with a 5-12 record. During his time in Minnesota, he was a staple of the defense, starting a total of 113 games. Even with a strong outing in 2022, the Rams and Wagner elected to go their separate ways. The Los Angeles Rams are a team that finds themselves in a strange position. Kendricks, who was a second-round selection in the 2015 NFL draft, spent the first eight seasons of his career in Minnesota. He has also taken the field for a total of 117 regular season games. The 31-year-old linebacker is now set to join an already loaded group of players in free agency.

After getting released by the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks shared his feelings on Tuesday with a post on Instagram.

[Kendricks](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KendEr00.htm?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=thevikingage.com&utm_campaign=2023-03-07_pfr)‘ cost and his recent decline in performance, it was a move that the Vikings felt they needed to make. But unfortunately, his NFL career won’t be continuing in a purple and gold jersey. But even if he knew the end of his time with the

Some people believe that March is one of the greatest months on the sports calendar. It has the state hockey tournament, March Madness and enough.

[Kevin O’Connell](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OConKe00.htm) was asked about the Vikings’ offense at the NFL Scouting Combine, he stressed the importance to gain consistency from the running game. With a cap hit of just under $20 million, Vikings fans could find themselves like Michaels – standing in the corner realizing what they had to do. However, his $14.1 million cap hit might signal the end for a 28-year-old running back who is still one of the foundational pieces of the locker room. After posting a career-high PFF grade of 90.1 in 2019, Kendricks slipped to 82.6 in 2020 and all the way down to 59.2 in 2021. In a perfect world, the Vikings would love to keep a player like Kendricks around. Furthermore, his resilience to bounce back from a torn ACL in 2017 and a hamstring issue in 2018 gives him an aurora of likeability. [donating $250,000](https://www.vikings.com/news/eric-kendricks-250k-social-justice-donation-all-square) months after the murder of George Floyd. His 579 solo tackles ranks eighth in franchise history and he was an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection during the 2019 season. There were several moments where Michaels could have ended the match with his finisher, “Sweet Chin Music,” but he hesitated out of respect and admiration for his opponent. At this point, you’re probably asking what the hell this has to do with the Vikings? A second-round pick in the vaunted 2015 draft class, Kendricks became one of the pillars of Mike Zimmer’s defense as a sideline-to-sideline missile at linebacker. Flair fought off retirement for a while, but at 64 years old, he wasn’t at the same level that helped him win 16 world championships.

Eric Kendricks and the Minnesota Vikings have gone their separate ways before free agency, but could he become a target for the Washington Commanders?

Nothing is off the table at this time of year. It’s one for the shortlist. There were some deficiencies in coverage for Kendricks and the UCLA product isn’t getting any younger. While he is best known as a playmaker and respected linebacker across the league, Eric’s contributions to the Vikings extend far beyond the field. The Washington Commanders and others around the league are currently forming their roster plans ahead of free agency. The Commanders