Minnesota Vikings release veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks ahead of free agency window

Minnesota Vikings veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks is officially heading to the free agency market. The Vikings released the former second-round draft pick out of UCLA on Monday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

The eighth-year veteran has played every season of his career so far for the Vikings but he would have had a massive cap hit in 2023. By releasing him, Minnesota cleared $9.5 million in cap space for next season.

Drafted No. 45 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, Kendricks initially signed a four-year deal for $5.15 million. The Vikings re-upped on him, offering him a five-year deal worth 50 million in 2018. He converted several of his payouts into signing bonuses over the years to help Minnesota out with cap space but now, he’s moving on.

A California native, Kendricks won the Butkus Award with the Bruins in his senior season in 2014. He solidified his status as a potential high-round draft pick after running a 4.61 second 40-yard dash at the combine, which was the fastest among linebackers that year.

Over his nine seasons, Kendricks racked up 919 tackles, including 579 solo tackles in regular season games. He made first-team All-Pro and earned a Pro Bowl bid for the 2019 season.

In 2022, the former Bruin had 137 tackles in 17 games, including a sack and 11 tackles for loss.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2023 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially run out, making those players free agents.

Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits.