The Minnesota Vikings released linebacker Eric Kendricks on Monday, a cap-clearing maneuver that will save the franchise $9.5 million against the salary cap.
Kendricks, 30, played for the Vikings in eight seasons, joining the franchise in the 2nd Round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He and Anthony Barr manned the middle of the Vikings defense during the Mike Zimmer era, and now Kendricks will hit open free agency for the first time.
Vikings Community Reacts to Release of Veteran Defender
And while the release was expected by Vikings faithful, the news was still a shock for some.