Vikings Reach 5-year, $50 Million Extension With LB Eric Kendricks
According to multiple sources, the Minnesota Vikings have reached a contract extension with starting middle linebacker Eric Kendricks.
The #Vikings are locking up star LB Eric Kendricks to a 5-year, $50M extension, per @MikeGarafolo and me. A key part of their D just got paid. He gets $25M guaranteed. š°š°š°
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 16, 2018
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reportedĀ the extension is for five years, $50 million with $25 million guaranteed. The Vikings had roughly $17 million in cap space before announcing the move.
Update
Eric Kendricks cap hits under his new #Vikings extension:
2018 – $3.74M
2019 – $6.6M
2020 – $9.6M
2021 – $10.6M
2022 – $11.6M
2023 – $9.5M— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) April 20, 2018
Drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft (45th overall), Kendricks has been a vital part of Minnesota’s No. 1 defense. In three seasons, the UCLA product has played in 45 out of a possible 48 games. He’s led the team in tackling every year since being drafted.
Kendricks, 26, had a Pro Football Focus grade of 75.1 last season, ranking No. 37 among linebackers. Since 2015 he has 209 solo tackles with 16 passes defended, 7.5 sacks and two interceptions. He returned both interceptions for touchdowns.
More extensions looming?
With one 2019 free agent locked up a year early, the Vikings may turn their attention to other players. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, linebackerĀ Anthony BarrĀ andĀ defensive endĀ Danielle Hunter are scheduled to become free agents after the season and may also be in line for extensions before the regular season.