3 Potential Landing Spots For LB Eric Kendricks

Former Minnesota Vikings LB Eric Kendricks (54). (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Vikings released LB Eric Kendricks today. This isn’t necessarily a surprise since his cap hit was huge and the Vikings were way over the cap. Kendricks is also 31 years old and the Vikings are in the process of getting younger. However, Kendricks still has a lot of value in the league and should help a defense shore up the linebacker position. Here are 3 potential landing spots for LB Eric Kendricks.

(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Potential Landing Spots For LB Eric Kendricks

The cut saves the Vikings almost $10 million. There was no way that he could be on the team next year. The Vikings also have some young talent that they would like to develop especially with new defensive coordinator Brian Flores at the helm. Which teams could use a veteran linebacker?

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Washington Commanders

The Commanders struggled at the linebacker position last season. 2021 first-round pick Jamin Davis seems to have settled into the outside linebacker role and Cole Holcomb took the position of an inside linebacker. The issue is Holcomb is a free agent after this season and is only 27 years old. He should draw considerable interest and might become very expensive for the Commanders to retain. Kendricks could be an option that would give them high-level play for a shorter period of time on an inexpensive contract. This would give the Commanders maximum flexibility moving forward.

(Chris O’Meara / Associated Press)

Los Angeles Chargers

Kendricks played college football at UCLA. It would not be a huge stretch for him to decide to go home and play in Los Angeles again. The Chargers are also in win-now mode. They have a talented young quarterback in Justin Herbert and some good defensive playmakers. Kendricks would help bolster the defense that struggled at times last year. He is also very good in coverage which would help against the likes of the Chiefs, Raiders, and Broncos within the division. Look for the Chargers as a potential landing spot for Eric Kendricks.

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Buffalo Bills

Speaking of teams that are in win-now mode, the Buffalo Bills are in a prime position to make a Super Bowl run. However, they need to get past a lot of teams in a tough AFC. The offense looked great last year but it was the defense that struggled. Kendricks would bring a veteran presence to the defense. The Bills play a 4-3 defense which Kendricks excelled in with one season having him earning first-team All-Pro honors. This would be a perfect landing spot if Kendricks is looking to chase a ring and Buffalo would love to have his tackling and coverage ability.

Those are the 3 potential landing spots that I see for Eric Kendricks. Many teams will likely be interested and it will be interesting to see what direction Kendricks decides to go.