After appearing in 15 games with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, former Minnesota Vikings All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks is still without a team for the 2025 season. Recently, that almost changed when Kendricks met with the Baltimore Ravens.
Despite his opportunities not being as plentiful as they were just a few years ago, the former Vikings defender has reportedly declined an offer from the Ravens to sign with the team's practice squad, according to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero on Wednesday.
While it might seem like Kendricks is passing on a perfectly good opportunity with Baltimore, the 33-year-old linebacker with more than 150 games under his belt (including the playoffs) and over $55 million in career earnings probably isn't in desperate need to take any offer he gets to return to the NFL.
Reunion with Eric Kendricks might be worth considering for Minnesota Vikings
Things didn't work out for Kendricks and the Ravens, but that doesn't mean another team couldn't make use of him this season. In fact, Minnesota is a squad that could actually benefit from adding the veteran defender to its roster this year.
So far this season, the Vikings have struggled to stop the run at a consistent rate. After four games, Minnesota ranks 24th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per contest, 19th in yards allowed per rush attempt, and 21st in expected points contributed by the rushing defense.
Last week, the Vikings let Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell set new single-game career-highs with 99 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Gainwell has started a total of five times since entering the NFL in 2021, so there was no reason for him to succeed as much as he did against Minnesota this past Sunday.
The Vikings aren't in need of another starting linebacker, as Blake Cashman is still expected to return from his hanstring injury at some point this season. But if Kendricks is willing to return to Minnesota as a backup and a spot starter, then it might be something worth considering for the Vikings.
In his last season with Minnesota in 2022, Kendricks' PFF run defense grade ranked 13th in the league out of 182 qualifying linebackers. With the Cowboys in 2024, his PFF run defense grade wasn't as high, but it still ranked 33rd out of 189 qualifying linebackers in the NFL.
On Sunday, the Vikings will be taking on a Cleveland Browns team that currently ranks 27th in the league in yards per rushing attempt.
If the Browns' rushing attack becomes the latest to put together a solid performance against Minnesota's defense, then giving Kendricks a call is something the Vikings should definitely consider before returning from their bye in Week 7.