The Case for Cutting/Keeping Eric Kendricks
K. Joudry
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Not too long ago, Eric Kendricks was the NFL’s preeminent linebacker.
Fans grew accustomed to seeing the ‘backer shoot through the OL, displaying an on-field clairvoyance that allowed him to get to the play before it even began. Moreover, his ability to offer elite pass coverage made him the full package. Kendricks, in short, was sensational, a true difference-maker who seldom got beat.
More recently, the former second-round selection has seen his game take a step back. Plenty of fans (and writers) have been calling for him to be cut. Does it actually make sense to move on from the former UCLA stand out?
Cutting Eric Kendricks
Saving $9.5 million against the cap. That’s the main benefit of cutting Kendricks. Given that the team sits at more than $23 over the 2023 budget, the prospect of cutting Kendricks has to have at least some appeal.
Of course, some would argue that the benefit doesn’t end at financial savings. Perhaps some younger talent would also lead to a better on-field effort, improved play from the linebacker position.
The above clip stands out as one of the lowlights of the year for #54. Rather than secure the tackle, Kendricks tries to snag the football. In doing so, he neither gets the tackle nor the fumble. Touchdown Arizona.
When we kick things out, we also see more reason for concern. Some of his basic counting stats are impressive: he finished the year with 137 tackles and 8 TFLs. However, he allowed 63 of 85 passes into his coverage to be completed, a 74.1% average. Those catches went for 583 yards. He allowed a passer rating of 100.3 and 2 TDs.
On PFF, Kendricks saw his grades drop. His saw his pass coverage grade dip to a worrisome 46.4, a troubling number given his history of strong play in this facet of the game. He did, however, maintain an 81.1 run defense grade, an encouraging mark that points to some potential for a bounce back in 2023.
Keeping Eric Kendricks
Asking Brian Flores to work with a completely new linebacker room may be misguided. Continuity, more often than not, is a good thing. The 30-year-old had a “C” on his chest in 2022, an indicator that he has earned the respect of his teammates and coaches.
Kendricks did appear slow at various points and yet he was working within a scheme that made the defense appear completely disinterested in slowing down an offense. Far too often, the defense looked lethargic, uninspired, passive, lackadaisical, indifferent, and boring. Given the broader defensive struggle, can we fully write off Mr. Kendricks?
The 137 tackles are the second-most of his career. When we partner those tackles with the strong PFF run grade, we may be left with the conclusion that the veteran can still make a difference when it comes to helping to nullify a running back.
One final thought. In the clips, you’ll see Kendricks hustling to the flats to take down the running back. When he plays unencumbered and free, the veteran can still get to the sideline to stop the ball carrier/receiver before a major gain occurs.
Might Flores find a way of allowing Kendricks to do what he does best? Undermine the run game, get to the flats, and create pressure on the occasional blitz.
The Final Word
Similar to Adam Thielen, the possibility is there to figure out a restructure that keeps Eric Kendricks in town for 2023 (and possibly beyond).
The key, of course, will rest in arriving at a number both sides can feel good about. The chances of his deal remaining untouched as free agency arrives is next to none. Put simply, the team needs to create room, and cutting the veteran is one way of giving their budget a major shot of adrenaline.
Forced to guess, I’d say the Vikings avoid cutting both Jordan Hicks and Eric Kendricks. We know that the team needs to create cap space and that will inevitably lead to some purple exile. Subtracting both vets, though, may be too much for a defense in transition.
Eric Kendricks has a history of elite play for the Vikings. True, he’s carrying a large cap hit and his 2022 season wasn’t the usually dominant performance we’ve grown accustomed to seeing. Even still, he is a starting LB in the NFL, someone who can help a team win.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will be having all kinds of conversations with his veterans to see about finding a mutually beneficial contract solution. It’s likely safe to assume that Kendricks is in that group of veterans. The current $11,430,000 cap hit is too large, but perhaps the two sides can find a middle ground to keep the partnership going for 2023.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
So far, we’ve considered EDGE Za’Darius Smith and WR Adam Thielen in The Case for Cutting/Keeping series. Stay tuned for future instalments.
