Eric Kendricks Joins the 49ers - And Kyle Shanahan Couldn't Be Happier He's Not Lining Up Against Him
SANTA CLARA - For years, Kyle Shanahan had to game-plan around Eric Kendricks. Now, he might finally get to game-plan with him.
The 49ers head coach didn’t hide his admiration for the veteran linebacker on Wednesday, reflecting on the many times he’s had to scheme against Kendricks - and how relieved he is that, for once, the All-Pro is on his side.
“I think he’s awesome,” Shanahan said. “I feel like I know him just because I’ve gone against him so many times.
I don’t know him personally, but watching him on scout team last week from our end zone copy-it was eerie. Felt like I was having PTSD from seeing him all those years at linebacker.”
Kendricks didn’t practice Wednesday due to a tight calf, but Shanahan is hopeful the linebacker can get healthy soon and contribute down the stretch. With rookie Tatum Bethune still recovering from a high ankle sprain, there’s a potential opening for Kendricks to step in during the final stretch of the regular season.
And it’s not just Shanahan who’s glad to have Kendricks in the building.
Christian McCaffrey, who’s been lining up across from Kendricks since their college days - McCaffrey at Stanford, Kendricks at UCLA - is more than happy to be teammates.
“Man, I’ve been playing against him forever, it feels like,” McCaffrey said. “Back to the UCLA days.
He’s always been a really good run defender, but he’s also great in coverage. Super dynamic, super versatile.
I’m pumped he’s on our team now and I don’t have to play against him.”
With Bethune sidelined, Curtis Robinson has been holding down the MIKE linebacker role. But if Kendricks can get back into game shape, he could be a real option to take over that spot - and not just as a fill-in. We’re talking about a player who’s been the defensive quarterback for elite units in the past.
When the 49ers made a run at Kendricks earlier in 2024, the fit didn’t quite materialize. One of the sticking points?
The UCLA product wasn’t interested in switching to outside linebacker. But with the opportunity to potentially step into the middle and lead the defense - a role he’s thrived in - Kendricks agreed to join the 49ers’ practice squad.
“Would love to get Eric going,” Shanahan said. “He’s got a tight calf today, so we’ll see what he can do.
Hopefully it’s nothing too serious. He’s working back in here, and when he’s on the field, he looks like Eric - the guy we’ve seen for years.
You can tell he loves football. Hopefully he can get his body right and get out there.”
For now, the 49ers are playing the long game. But if Kendricks can get healthy, they’ll be adding a battle-tested linebacker with elite instincts, leadership, and the kind of versatility that’s hard to find. And for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, that kind of midseason boost could prove invaluable.