The Dallas Cowboys have had a busy week after having started this year’s organized team activities (OTAs) on Monday. This week’s workouts have been head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s first legitimate look at the roster as he takes over for the now-dismissed Mike McCarthy, assessing if the 2025 squad has what it takes to return to the NFL playoffs.
As the Cowboys and other teams continue with OTAs, several notable free agents are still waiting to get in on the offseason action. One of those names is a recent Dallas defender whom many fans are surprised hasn’t put pen to paper just yet.
Former Cowboys LB Erick Kendricks is Still Unsigned During OTAs
Several members of the Cowboys’ 2024 roster are currently unemployed, and that includes veteran linebacker Erick Kendricks. The 33-year-old disruptor joined Dallas last offseason to reunite with then-defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer; however, the stint was a one-and-done situation as the Cowboys didn’t make much of an attempt to re-sign Kendricks this spring.
A former Pro Bowl LB, Kendricks was an experienced name that Dallas’ defense needed. The ex-UCLA Bruin had amassed 658 solo tackles, 57 broken-up passes, 18.5 sacks, nine interceptions, and five forced fumbles in 132 games with the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Cowboys, and it’s safe to say his 2024 performance didn’t disappoint.
Starting in all 15 of his appearances, Kendricks paced all Cowboys defenders with 138 total tackles and 71 solo efforts. He also tallied three sacks, three forced fumbles, three defended passes, and a pair of INTs en route to a 75.2 defense grade on Pro Football Focus.
Most coaches would love to have an experienced linebacker like Kendricks, who can still make a positive impact at this stage of his career. That’s why it’s even more puzzling that he’s unsigned; however, it wouldn’t be shocking if his financial demands are playing a role in his unemployed status.
After all, Spotrac is currently listing Kendricks’ projected market value at $6.8 million annually. He’d be well worth that price if he were a few years younger, but there’s a good chance they’re less willing to commit to that amount if they’re worried about the former 2015 second-rounder regressing in Year 11.
With training camp around the corner, the clock is ticking for Kendricks to find a home. If he’s still unemployed come June and July, the ex-Cowboys tackle machine might have to reconsider his NFL future.
