When a veteran signs with an NFL team late in the season, it's often as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option—a short-term fix after injuries pile up. That may have been the initial expectation when the San Francisco 49ers signed linebacker Eric Kendricks in November. Instead, Kendricks quickly became a meaningful contributor, playing a key role in the team's Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Now, the 49ers are counting on Kendricks to deliver again on Saturday night against the Seattle Seahawks, with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line.
Kendricks has proven to be far more than a fill-in. Against the Eagles, he recorded 10 tackles and a pass defensed, earning a game-high 84.2 tackling grade from Pro Football Focus.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke on Thursday about what he has learned about Kendricks since the veteran joined the 49ers—and how closely it aligned with what showed up on film throughout his career.
"I think he kind of just validates and confirms all the stuff that I thought I knew about him," Shanahan said. "When you don't know someone at all, but I always talk about it with our players all the time, I think you can know how a person is, you can see people's character, what type of guy they are, by really watching the silent football tape. And I think he's confirmed that.
"We knew just going against him, it seemed like he was a hard worker. It seemed like he was on it. It seemed like football was very important to him. When you show that stuff on tape, that usually leads to a reliable, accountable, good person that people can rely on. And since he's been here, we've seen exactly that, and seeing him on the field last week confirmed he is still that same dude."
Kendricks may no longer be the same player who earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors earlier in his career. After 11 NFL seasons, the wear and tear is unavoidable. Still, his ability to perform at a high level underscores his relentless work ethic, commitment, and enduring athleticism.
From the moment he arrived, Kendricks looked like a natural fit in the 49ers' defensive scheme.
"You knew he had a chance to because of the style of how he played," Shanahan said. "He was always so talented."
A second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015, Kendricks has also spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys. He remained available through much of the 2025 season, waiting for the right opportunity and fit.
Beyond his physical skill set, Shanahan was particularly impressed by how quickly Kendricks picked up the 49ers' defense despite joining late in the year—though an early setback wasn't necessarily a surprise given the player didn't have an offseason with the team.
"But the reason we wanted him is because of the style of the way he played," Shanahan said. "We thought if anyone could do it, he would have a chance to. He did that right away. Now, when he had that setback in our bye week and then tweaked his calf, it was like, oh yeah, that doesn't surprise me. That's what happens.
"I was surprised how he could come back from that and be able to be ready two weeks after that and be able to help us out and then pull out a whole game there last week."
Kendricks' impact extends beyond his play on the field. His leadership and communication have been just as valuable to San Francisco's defense.
"I think it's a force multiplier," defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said this week. "His communication creates a calm to all three levels of the defense, gets people lined up, and that's where communication can excel at its fastest or be at its best. I thought he was outstanding with regards to all the checks. I'm not sure he could be much better. Hopefully, he can duplicate it this week."
The 49ers didn't just add a depth piece when they signed Kendricks. They added a seasoned professional whose experience, preparation, and presence have become vital assets in the team's playoff push.