The Arizona Cardinals, with a new coaching staff, will likely make some changes on defense. In these scenarios, it is quite common to see teams bring in players who played for the new coaches on their staff.
Arizona has the opportunity to do that if it wants.
According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, the Minnesota Vikings are releasing linebacker Eric Kendricks.
Kendricks is 31 years old and has played all eight of his NFL seasons for the Vikings, who drafted him in the second round in 2015.
He has averaged 115 tackles per season and had 137 in 2022.
New Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis worked with Kendricks on the Vikings. Gannon was with the Vikings from 2014-2017 working with defensive backs. Rallis was on the Minnesota staff from 2018-2020. In 2020, he was an assistant linebackers coach and would have worked directly with Kendricks.
Kendricks was a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro in 2019.
The Cardinals already have Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons at linebacker but they could use a veteran player who would know the system the Cardinals will put in place. Kendricks fits that bill.
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