Eric Kendricks nearly ended up in Baltimore. The Ravens made their pitch, but in the end, it was the San Francisco 49ers who pulled him in - and now, the veteran linebacker is getting his shot to help fuel a playoff push in the Bay.
At 33, Kendricks isn’t just looking for a roster spot - he’s chasing a meaningful role on a team with real postseason aspirations. After joining the Niners’ practice squad at the end of November, he’s now in line for elevation to the active roster, stepping into a defense that’s been hit with some key injuries.
And for Kendricks, this move is more than just football. It’s a homecoming.
The Fresno native is back in Northern California, and what drew him to the 49ers wasn’t just geography - it was the team’s identity. “This team was special,” Kendricks said.
“Even with all the adversity they faced, they seem to just fight. And it was inspiring to watch.”
That fighting spirit is something Kendricks knows well. He’s built his career on consistency and toughness - a tackling machine who hasn’t dipped below 100 tackles in a season since his rookie year in 2015 with Minnesota. Now, he brings that experience to a San Francisco defense that’s looking to stay afloat without one of its anchors.
Fred Warner’s fractured right ankle has sidelined the All-Pro linebacker for the rest of the regular season. While GM John Lynch hasn’t ruled out a potential return for the playoffs, the 49ers are preparing as if they’ll need reinforcements - and Kendricks fits that bill. He’s been through playoff battles before and knows what it takes to hold the line when the stakes get high.
The timing couldn’t be more critical. San Francisco has rattled off three straight wins, pushing their record to 9-4, but they’re still in a dogfight in the NFC West.
The division is stacked - with Seattle and Los Angeles both in the mix - and the playoff race is just as tight. Right now, the Niners are locked in a tie with the Bears but hold the edge for the sixth seed after Chicago’s recent loss to Green Bay.
In a postseason race where every snap matters, depth and experience become difference-makers. That’s where Kendricks comes in.
He may be new to the 49ers’ locker room, but he’s no stranger to the grind of December football. His presence gives San Francisco another steady hand in the middle of the defense - a player who’s been there, done that, and still has something left to give.
If the 49ers are going to make a serious run, they’ll need every ounce of grit they can muster. Kendricks saw that fire from afar. Now, he’s part of it.