As he glanced around the linebackers’ meetings during offseason workouts the past few weeks, Ryan Kerrigan was struck with a realization that he described as “weird.”
Brian Orakpo’s departure via free agency has left him as the most experienced member of the position group. Suddenly, Kerrigan – a fifth-year veteran – is the guy that younger teammates are watching to see how to execute a particular technique. He’s the one they will come to for further insight on what coaches expect.
“I’m kind of the elder statesman in the room now, as weird as it is to say,” said Kerrigan, a two-time Pro Bowl selection who is coming off of a career-best 13.