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Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks announced his decision to sign with the Los Angeles Chargers in a video shared on his Instagram account.
The California native shared a video of himself during his collegiate career at UCLA accepting the 2014 Dick Butkus Award, along with the caption, "Back in LA..Bolt Up!"
The Vikings released Kendricks last Monday (March 6) after eight seasons. The linebacker had been a cornerstone of the Vikings' defense since being selected by the franchise at No. 45 overall in the second-round of the 2015 NFL Draft. The former UCLA standout was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2019, as well as a member of the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team during his first NFL season in 2015.
Kendricks started in all 17 games for the Vikings in 2022, recording 137 tackles, eight tackles for loss and one sack.
The Vikings' decision came days after Spotrac.com's Michael Ginnitti included Kendricks as part of his NFL All-Roster-Bubble Team, which listed the top players at each position who could be released based on high salaries.
"He can still fill up a stat-line with the best of them, but the Vikings need to begin the process of getting younger (and subsequently cheaper) especially on the defensive side of the ball. Kendricks’ expiring contract can open up $9.5M of much needed cap space for Minnesota, who may address this position fairly early in the April draft," Ginnitti wrote.