Heated exchanges on defense have the opportunity to get eliminated moving forward for the Los Angeles Chargers, thanks to the presence of Eric Kendricks.
Last year, against the Tennessee Titans, there was a moment captured where nose tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day and inside linebacker Drue Tranquill had a shouting match that stemmed from a communication lapse on defense. But now, Kendricks is expected to bring more than just a veteran tackling presence. He’s bringing strong communication to the Bolts.
Chargers Veteran DL Raves About the Addition of Eric Kendricks
Speaking with Jeff Miller of the L.A. Times on Monday, Joseph-Day shared his belief that the chemistry will be stronger on the Chargers’ defense moving forward — all thanks to the vocal presence of Kendricks being added to the fold.
“I think this year that chemistry is built,” Joseph-Day said to Miller. “Chemistry is built through trials and tribulations. I really believe that that is going to shape us in a way better way moving forward.”
But again, the Fresno, California native Kendricks is anticipated to provide a needed voice to this defense … one where there won’t be any more communication confusion.
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“I think having Eric in there is definitely going to help us get those adjustments faster — less wasted time, less thinking,” Joseph-Day said. “He’ll be able to see that faster and get that communicated to us.”
Joseph-Day added, “At the end of the day, you can’t play defense slow. The moment you’re a step behind, or you miss something, that’s how you get got.”
Kendricks To Bolster a Key Area
While Tranquill led the Chargers with 146 tackles and 95 solo stops from his inside LB spot, the rest of the room was underproductive. Furthermore, Tranquill is off to the division rival Kansas City Chiefs, heightening the need for Kendricks.
Kendricks comes in as the new mainstay of the ILB unit. He’s also joining L.A. with a streak of producing 100+ tackles in his last seven seasons. And during that span, he’s delivered 70 or more solo stops in five of those campaigns.
Kendricks, though, has spent most of his career with four-down linemen in front of him. He will be shifting over to a more exotic odd-man front with the Chargers. The Vikings ran a nearly similar 3-4 look last season, but the results led to a 31st ranking and coordinator Ed Donatell being replaced by Brian Flores.
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However, Kendricks still managed to snatch 137 tackles and a career-high 87 solo stops playing in an odd look.
This time, Kendricks has a past Lombardi Trophy winner in front of him with Joseph-Day at the nose. Veteran pass rusher Morgan Fox will also be up front in the “Bash” position. Then there are Pro Bowl edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack off to the sides, creating the ideal 4-1 box look HC Brandon Staley deploys for confusion and chaos. There’s even the option to blitz Pro Bowl safety Derwin James next to Kendricks to create a six-man rush.
Staley himself lauded the addition of Kendricks, stating how he’s “one of the most complete linebackers in the last decade” when speaking with reporters during the 2023 NFL Owners Meetings. But there are other descriptions Staley used to verbally illustrate his new ILB.
“A true commander,” he said. “A tackling machine — sideline to sideline, in the box, physicality. He’s one of the best passing-game linebackers in the last decade.”
The Chargers fittingly replaced their leading tackler with someone who knows a thing or two about leading his defense in that category. But in the process, they took a step in improving the communication aspect and building up cohesion. Kendricks has a chance to become one of the better signings of the 2023 free agency cycle.