What It Means:

The deal includes $16 million guaranteed. What a turnaround after Kendricks spent all offseason on the speculative trading block. This deal will make Kendricks the eighth-highest paid NFL inside linebacker in terms of average annual salary and lock him in beside offseason trade acquisition Kiko Alonso for the next five seasons.

Kendricks is a plus athlete, and he and Alonso will make a formidable duo in the interior of the Eagles 3-4 defense. Both are excellent coverage linebackers and can also blitz and play the run. Retaining him should only solidify Philadelphia's top-10-ranked defense by our schedule-adjusted Defensive Net Expected Points for the years to come.