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Linebacker Eric Kendricks spurns 49ers to join Cowboys in free agency

Linebacker Eric Kendricks decided to sign with the Dallas Cowboys after agreeing to join the San Francisco 49ers early Wednesday.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the “change of heart” happened thanks to newly hired Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

“Mike Zimmer wanted Kendricks to help run his defense and Kendricks preferred to play in Dallas,” Schefter tweeted.

Zimmer and Kendricks will reunite in Dallas after spending seven seasons together on the Minnesota Vikings. The linebacker played under the then-Vikings head coach from 2015 to 2021. Clearly that relationship meant more to him than what he had with Brandon Staley, reportedly hired as a Niners defensive assistant and Kendricks’ head coach last year on the Chargers.