Vikings cut leading tackler Kendricks in cap move

The Minnesota Vikings released veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks on Monday as they work to get under the salary cap.

Kendricks, 31, has spent all eight seasons of his NFL career with the Vikings, who selected him in the second round of the 2015 draft. Last season he started all 17 games and finished with 137 tackles to lead the team. He has posted more than 100 tackles in seven consecutive seasons.

“As a Pro Bowler and team captain, a Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and a leader of the Vikings social justice efforts, Eric leaves a powerful, permanent legacy within our organization and the Minnesota community. While he is best known as a playmaker and respected linebacker across the league, Eric’s contributions to the Vikings extend far beyond the field because of his selfless and unwavering commitment to improving societal issues,” general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement.

The Vikings will save $9.5 million on their salary cap with the move. Entering Monday they were approximately $24.4 million over the salary cap, according to OverTheCap.com.

The Vikings have until Wednesday March 15 at 4 p.m. to get under the salary cap of $224.8 million.

Kendricks, who was selected to his only Pro Bowl in 2019 when he also was a First Team All-Pro selection, has 919 tackles and 15 sacks in 117 games, including 113 starts.

“It is extremely difficult to start more than 100 games in this league, but Eric has been a staple in the locker room since he entered the NFL. During my first year as head coach, Eric played a critical role as a captain and a member of the leadership council in helping establish the culture we want in Minnesota. He was a consistent mentor to his younger teammates, and his tireless work ethic set a standard for others to emulate. I’m thankful to have had the chance to coach Eric as a player and get to know him as a person,” coach Kevin O’Connell said in a statement.

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