The Philadelphia Eagles made a notable move on Tuesday, releasing linebacker Mychal Kendricks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Kendricks spent six seasons with the Eagles, and had two years remaining on a four-year$29 million contract extension. The move comes following the Eagles decision to sign Corey Nelson to compete for a linebacker opportunity.
Naturally, people are inquiring about whether the 49ers should or will pursue Kendricks. The 49ers actually tried to trade for Kendricks a year ago. NFL reporter Adam Caplan reported last May that the 49ers and Eagles almost had a deal done for Kendricks during the NFL Combine. He is not sure why the deal did not happen at that time.
A lot has changed for the 49ers linebackers since the 2017 Combine. In the two months following the Combine, the team signed Malcolm Smith and Brock Coyle in free agency, and then drafted Reuben Foster in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. They later released NaVorro Bowman during the 2017 season. Following the season, Reuben Foster was twice arrested, once for marijuana possession and once for domestic violence and weapons charges. They signed Korey Toomer in free agency, and then draft BYU linebacker Fred Warner.
Foster will be in court on Wednesday to find out if he is going to stand trial in Santa Clara on the three felonies. If he does not, there is almost no chance the 49ers sign Kendricks. If he does have to stand trial, I don’t expect them to sign Kendricks, but with enough questions, maybe they at least give Kendricks a call. I don’t expect Kendricks to land with the 49ers, but given the questions surrounding Foster, I won’t write it off entirely.