Chargers launch veteran LB Eric Kendricks, save $6.5M

The Los Angeles Chargers launched linebacker Eric Kendricks on Tuesday, the group introduced.

Kendricks signed a two-year, $13.25 million contract with the Chargers final offseason, with $6.75 million assured. He was due a $1.25 million roster bonus if he was on the roster on the third day of the brand new league 12 months (March 15).

The transfer saves the Chargers $6.5 million, and the group will incur a lifeless cash cost of $2.5 million. Kendricks, 32, was a captain in 2023 and completed second on the group with 117 tackles.

For now, Daiyan Henley, drafted within the third spherical within the 2023 draft, and Nick Niemann are the only real inside linebackers on the roster. Linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., who was third in tackles in 2023, is a free agent.

Kendricks’ launch is the primary vital roster transfer since coach Jim Harbaugh and normal supervisor Joe Hortiz had been employed. The Chargers are actually $19 million above the wage cap after Kendricks’ launch, in accordance with OverTheCap.com.

Tuesday’s transfer is probably going the start of extra forward for the Chargers, as Harbaugh and Hortiz will look to get the group wage cap compliant. The Chargers’ greatest selections will include linebackers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack and large receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, who all have cap hits above $30 million subsequent season.

Hortiz and Harbaugh have been noncommittal on the futures of these gamers.

“When it comes to the cap, I am assured we will get there as a result of you must get there,” Hortiz stated on the NFL scouting mix. “I’ve no alternative however to get beneath the cap, so I can promise you that we will do this.”