Eagles release LB Mychal Kendricks, should Raiders be interested?

The Raiders are still in need of another middle linebacker, unless they are planning on having all of their eggs in 35 year old Derek Johnson’s basket. That would be ill advised, even if he plays well this year he is not a viable long term option at his age.

There is a brand new addition to the free agent market who is a viable long term option though, the Eagles just released LB Mychal Kendricks. The 27 year old was a 2nd round pick back in 2012 for the Eagles and has compiled 459 tackles, 14 sacks, 3 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles and 5 fumble recoveries in the 6 years he played for them.

That wasn’t enough to save his job though, Philly has moved on from him after their Super Bowl winning season this past year in order to save $4.4 million in salary cap savings. Kendricks became expendable after the Eagles signed free agent Nigel Bradham to a 5 year, $40M deal.

Their loss could be the Raiders gain if they decided to make a run after Kendricks, though they won’t be the only ones in the running for his services. The Eagles cross state rival Steelers have long been rumored to be interested in acquiring the talented inside linebacker.

The Raiders could really use Mychal Kendricks to bolster their pass defense. Kendricks has been known to be an excellent linebacker against the pass with his range and impressive athletic ability. It would be a homecoming of sorts for Kendricks as well since he went to high school in Fresno and attended Cal in college.

Oakland has not been shy about making moves this off-season, highlighted by some surprising trades that have acquired them Martavis Bryant, Ryan Switzer and newly traded for backup QB Christian Hackenberg. They had Navorro Bowman as their middle linebacker last season who is still available as well, but if they wanted to add another linebacker and have moved on from Bowman then Kendricks is well worth considering.