The Los Angeles Rams’ offseason overhaul at cornerback has included the departures of several key contributors from the 2025 campaign, with Derion Kendrick the latest to draw attention.
Kendrick was drafted by the Rams, spent a brief time away, and returned to finish out this past season with LA.
Now, he heads to another NFC club.
Ex-Rams CB Derion Kendrick Joins Cowboys in Free Agency
GettyDerion Kendrick #1 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before a game against the Detroit Lions.
The Rams drafted Kendrick 212th overall in 2022. He spent the first three seasons with LA, who cut him at the end of the 2025 preseason. The Seattle Seahawks claimed Kendrick, but they cut him in November. Still, because he played for them this season, he is a Super Bowl champion.
LA re-signed Kendrick amid their slew of injuries at cornerback.
The 25-year-old corner (26 in December) finished the season with 10 total tackles, 5 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions. Both of his interceptions were with the Seahawks.
“CB Derion Kendrick is signing with the Cowboys on a 1-year deal, per his agent Matt Leist of LAA,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported in a post on X on March 24, officially signaling the end of the young veteran’s second stint in LA.
The Athletic’s John Machota offered insight into Kendrick’s potential role in Dallas.
“Kendrick adds depth to a cornerback room that includes DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, Cobie Durant, Caelen Carson, Reddy Steward, Trikweze Bridges, Corey Ballentine and Josh Butler,” Machota posted on X, corroborating the report of the deal with his own.
Durant was a fourth-round pick in that 2022 class. He departed the Rams for the Cowboys in free agency, too.
Kendrick was on a one-year, $1 million contract with the Rams.
Kendrick had an up-and-down tenure with the Rams. That is evident in their willingness to expose him to waivers and their work to make over their secondary this offseason.
Kendrick played in five games for the Rams last season, and 37 across both stints, with 18 starts in that span. He played in 10 games for the Seahawks, all as a reserve.
Rams Reconfigured CB Room
GettyTrent McDuffie #22 walks to the field during Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp.
Kendrick’s signing with the Cowboys just further removes the Rams from their 2025 secondary, a transition they telegraphed with their blockbuster trade for Trent McDuffie and then by signing his former Kansas City Chiefs teammate Jaylen Watson in free agency.
After navigating injuries to multiple players, including trade deadline pickup Roger McCreary, an overhaul was needed.
The Rams also saw 2021 Super Bowl champion Darious Williams retire this offseason.
Former Washington Commanders first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes and ex-undrafted free agents Cam Lampkin and Josh Wallace are the only holdovers with experience. LA also has former UDFA Alex Johnson.
The Rams went into this offseason with a clear goal of remaking their cornerback room and have enacted that plan in short order.
They ranked No. 1 offensively, but ranked 17th defensively, and they were 19th versus the pass.
Kendrick exits the Rams for a Cowboys team that finished the 2025 regular season ranked 30th overall and 32nd against the pass. There could be a clearer path to playing time than he was granted in LA over the past few seasons.
Super Bowl Champion Leaves Rams for Rival NFC Club in Free Agency