Vikings Release Long-Time Defensive Captain

The Minnesota Vikings have started their quest to right the cap space wrongs of the former regime. Getting under the 2023 cap limit is going to take some hard decisions, however, as evidenced by the team's latest move.

Long-time defensive captain and starting linebacker Eric Kendricks was released on Monday.

The #Vikings are releasing veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks, per sources.

A first-team All-Pro in 2019 and one of the NFL’s most consistently productive LBs, Kendricks now heads to free agency. pic.twitter.com/1090Ws7MlH
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 6, 2023

Vikings Offseason News

Kendricks has spent each of his first eight NFL seasons with the Vikings since getting drafted in the second round back in 2015. He started all 17 games for Minnesota in 2022 and led the team with 137 tackles. The former Pro Bowler tallied 6 pass breakups, 1.0 sacks and a fumble return touchdown as well.

There should be an expanded free agent market for Kendricks considering he has posted over 100 tackles and played in at least 11 games in seven consecutive seasons. That kind of consistency is rare to find at the linebacker spot considering the wear and tear the position regularly goes through.

Kendricks made a clear impact for the Vikings as head coach Kevin O'Connell said his "tireless work ethic set a standard for others to emulate." General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah added that "Eric leaves a powerful, permanent legacy within our organization and the Minnesota community."

Minnesota entered Monday $24.4 million over the salary cap and releasing Kendricks will save them $9.5 million against that cap. It's a great first step as the team has until March 15 to get under the salary cap limit of $224.8 million, but it's safe to say a few more drastic moves may be necessary here.

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