The Dallas Cowboys were considered one of the losers of the first week of free agency as they opted to stand pat while several free agents came off the board.
Dallas’ decision to let players sign elsewhere was puzzling, especially after the way they flamed out of the NFL playoffs.
However, the Cowboys eventually made a signing when they brought in veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks.
Kendricks spent the 2023 NFL season with the Los Angeles Chargers but prior to that was with the Minnesota Vikings for eight seasons where he earned a First-Team All-Pro nod in 2019.
Kendricks reportedly had deal to sign with the San Francisco 49ers but wound up signing with the Cowboys instead.
The veteran eventually revealed why he decided to go to Dallas instead of San Francisco, via Jon Machota of The Athletic and NBC Sports Bay Area.
“I think I would’ve taken more of a reserved role [in San Francisco], whereas I feel I have a lot left to give, and I wanted to be here and be middle linebacker,” Kendricks told Machota. “I wanted to share my experience with the team, share my leadership abilities, and command that huddle.”
Kendricks essentially admits he wanted a larger role, which he should have after Dallas had some key players like Leighton Vander Esch retire.
Kendricks also gets the opportunity to reunite with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer who was his head coach in Minnesota.
All in all, it sounds like the perfect chance for Kendricks to earn snaps and make a tangible impact on the defense.
