Chargers value leadership new LB Eric Kendricks will provide

Updated Apr. 17, 2023 6:59 p.m. ET

Associated Press

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers signed linebacker Eric Kendricks with the belief his leadership and skill can help their defense reach the next level.

Kendricks got to work on demonstrating the former as he met many of his new teammates for the first time at the start of voluntary workouts on Monday.

“I feel like I came into UCLA kind of as the underdog in the same situation, not really knowing anybody. I’m just kind of taking that approach, just like when I was a rookie — put my head down and work,” he said.

Kendricks signed a two-year contract with the Chargers in March after eight productive seasons for the Minnesota Vikings. He had at least 107 tackles in each of the past seven seasons, including a career-high 87 solo stops among his 137 total tackles last season.

The Chargers need that kind of effectiveness after allowing an NFL-worst 5.42 yards per carry last season. They finished 29th overall in yards per play despite having made significant personnel additions on the defensive line and in the secondary.

Head coach and defensive play-caller Brandon Staley sees Kendricks as the middle linebacker capable of helping to bring those two groups together.

“I think the intangible part of that position is that you’re truly connecting both places, you’re connecting the front of your defense to the back of your defense,” Staley said. “You’re in the middle of everything. … That’s part of your value to the football team that goes far beyond height, weight, speed.”

Kendricks demonstrated that ability throughout his time in Minnesota. He was a multi-year captain and the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2020 for his contributions off the field.

Defensive lineman Morgan Fox said Kendricks’ reputation preceded him.

“Today was the first time that I’ve met him in person, but everyone that I know that knows him speaks very highly of him, nothing but great things about him,” Fox said. “It was awesome to actually meet him today, get to work with him. I’m excited to see what the season is going to look like with him.”

The Chargers expect to see Kendricks lining up next to Kenneth Murray Jr. this fall, but the two linebackers already spent time together attending a car drifting show in Long Beach last week.

“I know he’s a big car guy, I’m a big car guy. I don’t care about anything else, he’s a good guy for me in that sense,” Kendricks said. “The football stuff, obviously, that’s our first love and passion. I’m sure that will take care of itself. The fact that we can hang out in a different setting and kind of unwind and be personable with each other on that level is going to be great for us.”

Kendricks knows California and its car culture having grown up in Fresno and attending college at UCLA, but he said choosing the Chargers was not about the lifestyle.

“Honestly, they’re a good team. They’re contenders,” he said. "This is my ninth year in the league. I’ve seen a lot. I’ve done a lot. Hopefully, my experiences can help everybody else around me. … I’m just going to come in here, be myself and play the game that I love to play.”

NOTES: QB Justin Herbert attended workouts on Monday, but his status for later stages of the offseason program remains uncertain after undergoing surgery on his non-throwing shoulder in January. “We’re going to listen to the doctors,” Staley said. “I know that he’s making progress.” … Staley had no update on RB Austin Ekeler after he received permission to seek a trade in March.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL