Kendricks named an All-Pro, Hunter and Smith snubbed
By Adam Patrick
For the first time since entering the NFL in 2015, the Minnesota Vikings talented linebacker has earned a First-Team All-Pro selection from the Associated Press.
Believe it or not, Eric Kendricks did not begin his career with the Minnesota Vikings as a member of their starting defense. During his rookie season back in 2015, Kendricks was utilized more on a rotational basis in the Vikings’ first three games.
But then Mike Zimmer realized he was being foolish by keeping the young linebacker out of the starting lineup and Kendricks ended up as a starter for Minnesota’s Week 4 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
Since that game, the talented Vikings linebacker has not only remained in the defensive starting lineup, but he’s developed into one of the defense’s most important players.
This year, Kendricks took his game to a whole new level as he finished the regular season with 110 tackles, 12 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 0.5 sacks. Thanks to his performance this year, it has now resulted in the biggest honor of his NFL career.
On Friday, the Associated Press revealed their selections for their annual All-Pro teams and Kendricks was one of the players selected for the first-team. The veteran linebacker was the only member of Minnesota’s roster to earn a First or Second-Team All-Pro selection this season.
As exciting as it is to see Kendricks get the recognition he deserves, it was a bit surprising that neither Danielle Hunter or Harrison Smith didn’t even manage to be selected as Second-Team All-Pros. Both Hunter and Smith also had outstanding years like Kendricks, but both were also selected to this season’s Pro Bowl and Kendricks was not.
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The talented linebacker is the first Vikings player to earn a First-Team All-Pro selection from the Associated Press since Smith and Xavier Rhodes were given the honor back in 2017. Kendricks’ selection also makes it the fifth year in a row that a member of Minnesota’s roster has been honored as either a First or Second-Team All-Pro by the Associated Press.