Philadelphia Eagles: Whatever happened to Mychal Kendricks?
Ten months after an insider trading charge cut his tenure in Philly short, whatever happened to ex-Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks?
Mychal Kendricks might be the most fascinating player in the NFL.
Almost 10 months ago to the day, the former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker vaulted into the national conversation being charged with insider trading to the tune of $1.2 million between July 2014 and March 2015 – charges he pled guilty to on September 6th.
Though he still hasn’t been given a sentence, with estimates ranging anywhere from 35 months to over 25 years, it somehow hasn’t affected his prospects as an NFL player to a surprising degree.
More from Philadelphia Eagles
- 4 Eagles on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
- Best Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promos: Win $650 GUARANTEED Bonus PLUS $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket
- 3 Punters the Eagles Must Target to Replace Arryn Siposs
- Cowboys Trey Lance Trade Proves How Screwed They Are With Dak Prescott
- Devon Allen Took Britain Covey’s Job on Eagles
You see, after initially latching on with the Cleveland Browns, a move that lasted all of 89 days including a very strange appearance on Hard Knocks, it looks like Kendricks’ career in the NFL was over as he would surely have to sacrifice the rest of his prime in prison, but that was not the case.
Less than a month later, the Seattle Seahawks signed Kendricks for the remainder of the season to a one-year contract, and after an eight-game suspension, he actually went on to appear in four games (three starts) in Seattle, logging 19 tackles and two sacks over 183 defensive snaps.
Were any of these numbers career-highs? No, but his play was impressive enough that Seattle’s brass decided to re-up Kendricks for the 2019 season on a brand new one-year extension worth up to $4.5 million.
While this move has very little risk for the Seahawks next season, as it only carried a $3 million cap hit, it is a bit surprising to invest any capital above the veteran minimum on a player who may not be available to play for part of, if not all of the forthcoming season.
Pete Carroll apparently doesn’t see an issue with the signing, as he believes Kendricks will suit up this coming fall, as alluded to in recent comments to Sports Illustrated on the subject.
"Everything’s moving along and he’s real optimistic about how things are going. But really not too much to report. I can’t tell you much more than that."
Can Kendricks somehow avoid prison altogether and continue his NFL career as an inside linebacker for the Seahawks as they attempt to retool their post ‘Legion of Boom’ defense?
Apparently, that’s the plan until it isn’t.
Though Kendricks was ultimately a poor fit in Philly under Doug Pederson‘s tenure, as he wasn’t a good enough coverage player to fit in Jim Schwartz‘s coverage scheme, the player affectionately known as ‘The Angry Bird’ will forever hold a special place in Eagles history, as his play in the Super Bowl helped to bring the first Lombardi Trophy back to the City of Brotherly Love.
Next. Despite recent workouts by Darren Sproles, Eagles still don’t need veteran running back. dark
Even if his future is more volatile than any other player in the league, it’s entirely possible Mychal Kendricks will be on the Seattle Seahawks’ roster Week 1 when they face off against Cincinnati Bengals on September 8th, and may make his triumphant return to the City of Brotherly Love in a Week 12 bout against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.