Commander Country

Vikings Cut Eric Kendricks; Commanders Interested?

The Washington Commanders need some linebacker help in free agency. Could recently cut Minnesota Vikings veteran Eric Kendricks be an option?

Jeremy Brener

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The Minnesota Vikings are saying goodbye to their longest-tenured player.

According to NFL Network, the Vikings are releasing linebacker Eric Kendricks today, a move that clears $9.5 million of cap space for Minnesota.

Kendricks, 31, has spent his entire eight-year career with the Vikings and was named First Team All-Pro in 2019. This past season, Kendricks started every game and recorded 137 tackles, six shy of his career-best.

Several teams will be lining up to talk to Kendricks about resuming his career with them, and one of those could be the Washington Commanders.

The Commanders didn't boast a ton of linebacker depth last season, a problem they should be looking to fix in free agency. Jamin Davis, the team's 2021 first-round pick, was expected to play middle linebacker coming into the league. But he ended up moving to his more natural outside linebacker spot and Cole Holcomb moved inside.

However, Holcomb is a free agent and could receive considerable interest elsewhere. He'll be 27 next season, but Kendricks at 31 could bring better value and a higher ceiling on a shorter deal that allows the Commanders more flexibility.

There isn't any information to suggest that Holcomb is definitely leaving the Commanders in free agency, but all options must be explored a week before the player movement begins.

With Kendricks part of the unemployment line and Holcomb's future in question, the Commanders have some decisions to make.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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