Mychal Kendricks has found his mojo with the Philadelphia Eagles
So how should Eagles fans and coaches feel about Mychal Kendricks now?
When minicamps and OTAs were over, it was pretty much a foregone conclusion. Mychal Kendricks was going to be traded or released. It wasn’t a matter of if. It was only a matter of when. Kendricks, one season earlier, had struggled to find his way in the scheme of the Philadelphia Eagles‘ new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
What a difference a couple of months makes
Kendricks’ $4.8 million salary for 2017, once seen as too hefty, is now fully guaranteed. Maybe, with an already thin lineup at the linebacker position, the Eagles had no choice. Maybe, after seeing Kendricks pick off three passes in three games, it’s becoming more obvious that keeping Kendricks was the right decision.
What now?
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There are two ways that this could be argued. One, seeing Kendricks take his most recent interception to the house might help maximize his value on the trade market. Second, seeing how effective Kendricks has the possibility of being in a Jim Schwartz defense might finally convince Philadelphia to keep him.
The supposed split between the Eagles and their 46th-overall selection of the 2012 NFL Draft has been well publicized. Prior to training camp, Kendricks added fuel to the fire by making it public that he was interested in being traded. Three preseason games, four tackles, one sack, three interceptions and a touchdown later, some of the tension appears to subsided.
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Do the Eagles move on?
No one doesn’t think executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman isn’t exploring the opportunities, but for now, Kendricks is a part of a linebacker group that includes Nigel Bradham, Jordan Hicks, Joe Walker, Nathan Gerry, Najee Goode and Kamu Grugier-Hill. How long is anyone’s guess, but Kendricks remains optimistic.
"Every game is an audition in the league and that’s just how it goes. Coaches, players, we all go so fast. It’s a cycle, it’s crazy and it’s not like any other job occupation I know. Like I said it’s just about taking the opportunities given. It’s simple and people try to make it so complicated but it’s just simple."
We’ll all have to wait and see what happens, but you better believe there isn’t an Eagles fan who isn’t following this one closely.