Former Vikings LB reveals why he joined Mike Zimmer in Dallas

Last season was the first year in the NFL career of All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks that wasn't spent in a Minnesota Vikings uniform. Instead, Kendricks appeared in 15 games last season as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers.

This year, the veteran linebacker is with another new team, but he's also reunited with an old friend. Kendricks signed a contract with the Dallas Cowboys earlier this offseason, and he'll be helping lead a defense that is heading into the 2024 season with Mike Zimmer as its coordinator.

Zimmer, of course, was Minnesota's head coach from 2014 to 2021, and he was part of the regime that decided to use a second-round pick on Kendricks during the 2015 NFL Draft.

Former Minnesota Vikings LB Eric Kendricks shares why he signed with Dallas Cowboys

Shortly before signing with the Cowboys earlier this year, the former Vikings linebacker was originally expected to sign a deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

But Kendricks had a change of heart, and instead of joining the defending NFC champions, the veteran defender opted to reunite with Zimmer in Dallas instead. On Thursday, Kendricks shared the following about why he ultimately chose to sign with the Cowboys instead of heading to San Francisco.

"At the end of the day, I had a choice to make. It was a good program [in San Francisco] but I think I would've taken more of a reserve role. I feel like I have a lot left to give, and I want to be here and with Mike [Zimmer]."

The former Minnesota defender also shared on Thursday that he's already spoken to some of his new Dallas teammates about what to expect from Zimmer as the team's defensive coordinator.

"He has a high standard of performance. He's strict, personality-wise, but he always says, 'You take care of me, I'll take care of you.' I've talked to the guys about Zim but, at the end of the day, ball is ball and we've got to be disciplined and on our cues."

Zimmer and Kendricks worked together for seven seasons in Minnesota, and with their help, the Vikings were home to one of the NFL's top defenses for multiple years.

Cowboys fans are certainly hoping that this duo can help their favorite team achieve some of the success that they were able to experience during their time together with the Vikings.

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