Eric Kendricks, who was recently cut by the Minnesota Vikings and who once upon a time had some negative things to say about Mike Zimmer, just pulled off a shocker.
He was once an All-Pro under head coach Zimmer. ... and Zimmer is now in Dallas, where a cost-friendly run-stopping linebacker was needed.
It was always obvious,'' right?
Not to Kendricks, it wasn't. Until now …
Kendricks is on the backside of his career at age 32 and just found work with the Cowboys … dumping his decision to sign with rival in San Francisco ... and now gets to clear up what the player thinks of Zimmer.
When Minnesota fired Zimmer in January 2022, Kendricks was asked about his relationship with the boss. His reply included him saying that the team lacked “a culture where communication is put at the forefront. … it’s important to listen up and take each other’s opinions into account.''
Said Kendricks: “I don’t think a fear-based organization is the way to go.”
Does that sound like somebody who would actively seek out a reunion?
That remark didn’t necessary mean Kendricks and Zimmer would've had a problem reuniting. … clearly. Kendricks succeeded in Zimmer’s defense and was a team captain. There were positives.
“We put a lot of work in together, and we had a great run,” Kendricks said then of him and Zimmer.
But, he added, “I feel like there’s some things left out there as far as our relationship is concerned. I think that’s a question you have to ask him.”
So ... now we can. And we will.
Zimmer - who wants everyone to know that he's not a "jerk'' (we've known the man for 30 years and it's true; he's not a "jerk'') - is a tough guy. And a demanding guy. And over the course of time, yup, he can rub a player the wrong way.
For certain, Kendricks will fit Zimmer's defensive system, which is being installed in Dallas right now. And for certain, Zimmer is a driving force here now.
Said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. "He's no bull***. He's straight talk ... I think everybody needs some of that."
And Eric Kendricks just decided that what he needs is to not sign with the Niners … and to thrive in Dallas under “the jerk.”
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