Denver Broncos should go after this Vikings cap casualty

On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings released longtime inside linebacker Eric Kendricks. The Denver Broncos should be very interested.

There are a ton of connections between the Broncos and now-released linebacker Eric Kendricks. Denver could use a small boost on the inside of the defense, and Kendricks just might be the man for the job.

He was drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft and has been a fulltime starter since then. In his eight-year career, he's made 113 starts, 919 total tackles, 15 sacks, 51 passes defended, and 54 tackles for loss.

He's also added 29 QB hits, nine interceptions, and four forced fumbles. Obviously, George Paton was in Minnesota when Kendricks was drafted and likely played a big part in him being taken by the Vikings.

Furthermore, the Broncos did just hire Greg Manusky to be their new inside linebackers coach. Well, in 2022, Manusky was with the Vikings in the same role, so there are some connections there as well.

With Alex Singleton being a free agent, Josey Jewell being a bit of an injury-prone player, and Jonas Griffith set to come off a season-ending injury, signing Kendricks makes a ton of sense.

George Paton is on record saying the Broncos will be aggressive in free agency, and I'd think this move would fall under that category. It does not appear like Kendricks has lost a step either, and I don't think he'd cost a ton being that he is over 30 and is now a cap casualty.

Head Coach Sean Payton has also likely seen Kendricks up close for years as they both spent time in the NFC. This move, to me, makes a ton of sense for both sides.

Denver should focus on trying to keep the defense as strong as possible. The offense is a big unknown right now, but at the very least, the team can rest well knowing the defense could continue to go above and beyond.