SANTA CLARA — On the afternoon of Oct. 12, 2025, Eric Kendricks had just turned the channel from the 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game when his phone was flooded with text messages from friends.
The linebacker, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery and had yet to sign with a team, learned that Fred Warner had sustained a horrific ankle injury in the Week 6 game.
“It was other people trying to tell me what happened,” Kendricks said. “It was super unfortunate, a freak accident. He’s one of the guys that’s super tough and has never missed any games.”
Kendricks thought back to the 2024 offseason, when he turned down an offer to sign with the 49ers and instead chose to join the Dallas Cowboys. The linebacker now wanted to revisit his options.
“When I saw how it went down, it was kind of messed up,” Kendricks said. “But ultimately, it was me looking at teams across the league and where I wanted to be. Obviously there was some interest there as far as coming in and helping out if I could.”
It wasn’t until Nov. 26 that Kendricks actually signed with the 49ers’ practice squad, with the intent on being available as needed. After a month of practice, the coaching staff felt it was time to give the veteran his shot on the field, but not at his usual middle linebacker position.
Instead, in the 49ers’ Week 16 win over the Indianapolis Colts, Kendricks played only 10 snaps on defense alongside Tatum Bethune, who had resumed his starting role at the MIKE position after missing four games with a high ankle sprain. Kendricks ended up playing more snaps (16) on special teams than on defense.
It was challenging for Kendricks to experience his first NFL season as an unsigned free agent, but he knew it was important to be patient in order to make the right decision for himself. Kendricks wanted to find a team that could fit his style of play while also having a shot at being competitive, hopefully through the NFL playoffs. It was a long wait.
“I was ready to sign with a team during the offseason,” Kendricks said. “I really was. If something felt right, it was about me getting a playbook and getting in there with the guys, but it was about being patient and not being too eager to jump on something that didn’t feel right and waiting for that right opportunity.”
But waiting wasn’t always easy. Kendricks rehabbed and worked out with Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson during the offseason, but once Week 1 rolled around, he was on his own facing a new set of challenges.
“After the season started, I was by myself from then on which was super hard,” Kendricks said. “Taught me a lot about myself, for sure.”
Now Kendricks feels like he is in the right place at the right time — maybe most importantly making the game-clinching pass breakup of Jalen Hurts’ attempt to Dallas Goedert on Sunday, which kept the 49ers’ postseason alive.
The linebacker is glad he waited for the system that highlights his strengths.
“It’s the trust in the players and the emphasis on play style,” Kendricks said. “Everybody talks about a play style. Everybody wants to emphasize running to the ball with tenacity. But here, it runs everything.”
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