49ers sign former All-Pro LB Eric Kendricks [report]

The 49ers have their Dre Greenlaw holdover signing. After losing Greenlaw to a torn Achilles in the Super Bowl, it was clear the 49ers would need to add a capable linebacker in his stead, even if Greenlaw returns late in the year.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter , they found that in 32-year-old veteran Eric Kendricks, who was released earlier this offseason to save $6.5 million in cap space.

Kendricks spent the first eight years of his career in Minnesota, where he was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2019, when the Vikings lost to the 49ers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. He picked off Jimmy Garoppolo in that game, a 27-10 49ers win.

After a downturn in performance after that 2019 season, especially in 2021 and 2022, Kendricks had a resurgence with the Chargers last year. Since 2016, Kendricks has racked up eight-straight 107-plus tackle seasons. He has historically been a well above-average coverage linebacker, despite some poor seasons in that regard.

It's a signing that eases the need for a linebacker in the draft, especially with Jalen Graham and Dee Winters both rostered. That there is no reported number on the Kendricks signing tends to indicate an affordable figure.