The Solution to The Eric Kendricks Contract Seems Clear
K. Joudry
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Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will surely be looking at each and every contract as he prepares for the upcoming year, and Eric Kendricks will be no exception.
The veteran linebacker is among the game’s most underrated players. He consistently puts forth exemplary play that demonstrates not only his explosiveness, but also his work off the field. It’s near impossible to play so instinctively without first putting in a ton of time studying film.
As it stands, Kendricks has a cap hit of just over $13.5 million in 2022. It’s a number that he has earned, though one wonders if the new leadership will look to spend less money at linebacker.
An interesting detail to consider, though, is that his contract doesn’t have any guaranteed money left. The team could move on with relatively little consequence, at least from a financial perspective. Now, being able to cut a player doesn’t mean the team should cut a player. Eric Kendricks is still great, so the solution ought to involve reworking his contract.
At 29-years-old, Kendricks is approaching the end of his career. A lot of players want stability in their contract; players regularly struggle to produce in their 30s, so it’s plausible that Kendricks will be very open to locking in more guarantees.
Obviously, it takes two to tango. For a restructure to occur, both the team and Kendricks will need to agree to do so. It’s very likely, though, that the Vikings want their stud LB to remain and that Kendricks does want to guarantee more money for himself.
A deal that kicks in more guarantees over these next couple years would make sense for both sides, especially if it involves lowering his cap hit. Doing so would mean Minnesota retains one of their best players while also allowing them to bring in further talent.
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