Good things come to those who wait.
Whether signing a 33-year-old Eric Kendricks can be classified as a good thing is open for debate. However, the veteran linebacker’s arrival on the practice squad is a case of patience paying off for the 49ers.
The 49ers had an agreement to sign Kendricks last offseason, only for the former Minnesota Vikings to back out of the deal to sign with the Dallas Cowboys, reuniting with Mike Zimmer.
Despite a relatively strong season for the Cowboys, Kendricks did not re-sign with Dallas this offseason, but he now has the opportunity to provide a boost for the 49ers at an area where they are light on depth amid injuries to Fred Warner and Tatum Bethune.
“We’ve been talking with him throughout the year,” Kyle Shanahan said of Kendricks’ signing on Friday. “I know he had other options throughout the year, but the timing was right for him, and we’ve been wanting him on board, so we were pumped that he wanted to come.”
Asked about Kendricks’ decision last year, which forced the 49ers to pivot to singing De’Vondre Campbell — a move that proved ill-fated — to fill the void at WILL linebacker left by Dre Greenlaw, Shanahan added: “Yeah, it was brought up. We’re all good. We understand it now. You’re always frustrated at the time, but I understand why he did it.”
While Kendricks’ U-turn last season left them in a difficult position, his signing this year is well-timed.
The 49ers are in a tricky spot at linebacker, with Warner out for the year and Bethune still sidelined with a high-ankle sprain. Curtis Robinson remains at middle linebacker with Dee Winters playing the weak side, but their options at SAM linebacker are far from compelling.
Rookie Nick Martin has flashed promise since finally pressed into action, but the third-rounder remains inexperienced, while Luke Gifford has struggled in coverage when he has manned the strong side.
As such, in a game against the Cleveland Browns where inclement weather conditions may lead to both teams leaning heavily into base formations, Kendricks could prove to be an especially useful addition.
Though he is past his peak, Kendricks was still a productive player last season for the Cowboys, registering 138 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, three pass breakups and two interceptions in 15 games.
Teams did have success attacking him in coverage, but Kendricks’ passer rating when targeted of 88.3 was the fifth-best among linebackers with at least 300 coverage snaps. His average of 18.4 snaps per reception was the best in the league.
On the other hand, only former 49er Azeez Al-Shaair (14.1) allowed more yards per reception than Kendricks (13.6).
In short, Kendricks may be somebody opponents could attack in coverage from base looks, but he offers enough of an upgrade on Martin and Gifford with his all-round game to be an asset this week — should he be elevated from the practice squad — and down the stretch.
And if Kendricks can provide the kind of boost at the position that ensures the 49ers reach the postseason, his decision of a year ago will be long forgotten.
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