Chargers Release Team Captain Eric Kendricks, Save $6.5M in Salary Cap Space

The Los Angeles Chargers are facing significant salary-cap challenges this offseason, and they released one of their team captains as a result.

On Tuesday, the Chargers announced they released linebacker Eric Kendricks.

Kris Rhim of ESPN noted the move saved the AFC West team $6.5 million in cap space after previously signing him to a two-year, $13.25 million contract before the 2023 campaign. Had he been on the roster on the third day of the new league year on March 15, he would have received a $1.25 million roster bonus.

Los Angeles is embarking on a new era with head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz, and it is still approximately $19.1 million over the salary cap even after this move.

"Tuesday's move is likely the beginning of more ahead for the Chargers, as Harbaugh and Hortiz will look to get the team salary cap compliant," Rhim wrote. "The Chargers' biggest decisions will come with linebackers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack and wide receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, who all have cap hits above $30 million next season."

As for Kendricks, he is best known for his time on the Minnesota Vikings despite playing well in Los Angeles. Minnesota selected him with a second-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft, and he played his first eight years in the league for the NFC North team.

He was also a Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro selection in 2019 when he was with the Vikings.

Los Angeles added him ahead of the 2023 season, and he ended up being one of the defensive leaders with 117 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six passes defended, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 15 games.

While he is 32 years old, Kendricks has eight consecutive seasons of more than 100 tackles and will surely generate interest elsewhere in free agency.

Unfortunately for the Chargers, they have to worry about salary-cap space before they can worry about catching the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West. Kendricks is someone who could have helped them potentially close that gap on the reigning champions, but he will likely be suiting up elsewhere in 2024.