Former Eagle Mychal Kendricks has found a new home. Unless he hasn't.
The 27-year-old linebacker has denied a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that he's signing a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. Kendricks told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the report is "not accurate."
Free-agent LB Mychal Kendricks, in a brief phone interview, denied a report he's reached agreement to sign with the Browns. "No, it's not accurate. That's all I have to say. I'm not really talking about it.'' Kendricks wouldn't comment on whether the #Vikings are still in the mix— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) June 3, 2018
Kendricks then responded to Rapoport on Twitter, telling the reporter, "You will never have my respect."
You will never have my respect— Mychal Kendricks (@MychalKendricks) June 3, 2018
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A league source also told NBC Sports Philadelphia that the report is "not true."
For what it's worth, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer confirmed Rapoport's report and said the deal should "be done by tomorrow."
The #Browns are signing LB Mychal Kendricks to a 1-year deal, as first reported by @rapsheet. Should be done by tomorrow https://t.co/KTuCzsZqkq
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) June 3, 2018
Perhaps, Rapoport just jumped the gun on reporting the deal.
The Eagles released Kendricks back on May 22, but did it with a post-June 1 designation. That meant the Eagles had to carry his full cap hit through June 1. But now, they have an extra $6 million in cap space for this season.
When the Eagles did cut ties with Kendricks, it ended a long and strange career for Kendricks in Philly. Once a second-round pick in 2012, Kendricks was a dynamic player, who got a big contract, but then eventually became a role player upset with his lack of playing time.
In 2017, Kendricks played a big role after Jordan Hicks went down with a season-ending Achilles injury. But with Hicks back and Nigel Bradham re-signed, Kendricks was facing another season as the odd man left out. And he was simply too expensive for the team to keep around in that role again.
After his release, Kendricks told NBC Sports Philadelphia's John Clark, "I love Philly fans and I love Philly. We did something special this past year that no one can ever take away. All good things have to come to an end and it's time for myself to start the next chapter in my career."
With Kendricks out of the picture, there are several Eagles who will battle for that starting weakside linebacker position, starting with free agent pickup Corey Nelson and second-year draft pick Nate Gerry (see story).