Sentencing for Ex-Cal Star Mychal Kendricks Postponed Until March
Sentencing for former Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks has once again been postponed, leaving his uncertain NFL future even more unclear.
Kendricks’ sentencing for his 2018 guilty plea on insider-trading charges has been postponed many times, and he was scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 13, 2021, at the U.S. Eastern District of Pennsylvania Court in Philadelphia.
However, the sentencing was postponed again and is now scheduled for March 18, 2021, according to a court spokesman. That is one day after NFL free agency begins, and the 30-year-old Kendricks, who officially will become an unrestricted free agent on March 17, presumably will try to latch on with a team after finishing the 2020 season with Washington.
Kendricks could face up the 25 years in prison after pleading guilty on Sept. 6, 2018 to insider trading that netted him $1.2 million, but ESPN reported federal guidelines suggest he is more likely to be sentenced to 30 to 37 months in prison. That is still three years, and Kendricks’ lawyers may attempt to continue to postpone sentencing until Kendricks ends his pro football career.
(Click here for the details of government's insider-trading case against Kendricks.)
The legal troubles and a serious knee injury have limited his NFL playing time in recent years, and he is now at a crossroads about whether to continue his NFL career.
Kendricks, a second-round pick in 2012 NFL draft, was a starter for the Philadelphia Eagles for his first six NFL seasons before the NFL suspended Kendricks for eight games in 2018 after he pleaded guilty.
He played four games that 2018 season for the Seattle Seahawks and became a starting inside linebacker for the Seahawks in 2019. He played the first 14 games in 2019 before a torn anterior-cruciate ligament in his knee ended his season.
He was a free agent after the 2019 season, so his football future was in jeopardy. But Kendricks was medically cleared to resume football in June 2020, and the Seahawks signed him to their practice squad in October.
Injuries forced Washington to seek help at the linebacker spot, and Washington signed Kendricks off the Seahawks practice squad on Dec. 21, 2020.
Kendricks signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract with Washington, but the prorated deal brought Kendricks just $123,529.
He got into the Jan. 9 game against Tampa Bay for eight plays on defense, but did not record any statistics. That was his only playing time since his knee injury.
When the season ended, Kendricks became a free agent, and it remains to be seen whether another team will sign him.
The sentencing decision on March 18 no doubt will affect his negotiating power – unless sentencing is postponed again.
Kendricks has given no public indication that he plans to retire, although the sentencing – if it occurs – could affect that as well.
Kendricks played at Cal from 2008 through 2011, and was named the Pac-12 defensive player of the year in 2011, when he made 106 tackles, including 14.5 for losses, and intercepted two passes.
He has made 91 NFL starts and recorded 548 tackles, including 19 sacks and 52 tackles for loss. Kendricks also has intercepted four passes.
What’s next for Kendricks? Who knows.
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Cover photo of Mychal Kendricks by Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports
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