Dallas Cowboys hijack 49ers deal, agree to sign 117-tackle free agent as Jerry Jones makes his move

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The Dallas Cowboys are on the board, agreeing a first external signing of free agency.

Ever since play-off elimination at the start of 2024, Dallas Cowboys fans have been keen to move forward.

Keeping Mike McCarthy did not signal a fresh chapter, but a change of defensive coordinator has changed the coaching staff up a little, with Mike Zimmer brought into replace Dan Quinn.

And it is this acquisition of Mike Zimmer which has proved crucial in the signing of Eric Kendricks.

Dallas Cowboys sign Eric Kendricks

Eric Kendricks has signed with the Dallas Cowboys, reneging on a previous agreement with the San Francisco 49ers.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter had reported earlier in the day: “49ers are signing former Chargers LB Eric Kendricks to a one-year deal, per source. Kendricks was a Chargers captain last season, when he started 14 games and finished second on the team with 117 tackles.”

Only to now break the news the Dallas Cowboys had successfully hijacked the deal.

Schefter reports: “Another change of heart: after agreeing to a deal with the 49ers, former Chargers and Vikings LB Eric Kendricks has decided to go to the Dallas Cowboys instead, per sources.

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

Kendricks played under Zimmer at the Minnesota Vikings before both player and coach departed in 2022, now they are reunited.

This will feel good for the Cowboys to get one over on NFC rivals the 49ers, and sign a key starter on the defense for 2024.

Jerry Jones makes his move

After pledging to go ‘all in’, there had been some confusion when the Dallas Cowboys were the only team in the NFL not to sign an external player in the opening days of free agency.

Now, the Cowboys have made their first move, with owner Jerry Jones ending the wait for an increasingly frustrated fanbase.

Will this be the start of a big run of splashy signings? Probably not, but it’s a first one through the door.

The priority this season is to extend Ceedee Lamb and find a solution for Dak Prescott‘s contract. Micah Parsons also wants a new deal.

This means the Cowboys have had to be sensible in free agency, and this deal for Kendricks looks like a shrewd addition.