(Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Chargers have released a former Pro Bowl linebacker ahead of free agency.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chargers have opted to release linebacker Eric Kendricks after one season. Kendricks had one year remaining on the two-year, $13.25 million deal he signed with the Bolts in 2023 free agency.

The 32-year-old Kendricks appeared in 15 games for the Chargers last season, tallying 3.5 sacks, six pass defenses and 117 combined tackles. Kendricks has tallied 100-tackle seasons every year since his 2016 sophomore campaign.

Kendricks previously played for the Minnesota Vikings from 2015 to 2022, earning Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro Nods in 2019.

Releasing Kendricks saves the Chargers $6.5 million in cap space, and he just might be one of several notable veterans to get cut by the club in the coming days. It has also been speculated that the Chargers may cut wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams as well as star pass-rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa.

The Chargers are entering a new era with head coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz, who will try to turn the franchise around following a disastrous final year with Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco at the helm.

Harbaugh was hired by the Chargers just weeks after leading the Michigan Wolverines to the program’s first national championship since 1997. Before going to Michigan, Harbaugh coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014.