Mychal Kendricks pled guilty to insider trading charges last week and could face up to 25 years in prison, but in a rather shocking and head-scratching move, the Super Bowl-winning linebacker will play in the NFL this season before his sentencing.
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After being released by the Cleveland Browns following federal prosecutor's charges of insider trading, where he admitted he was wrong in front of U.S. District Judge Gene E.K. Pratter for turning $80,000 into $1.2 million in less than five months, the Seattle Seahawks have signed Kendricks to a one-year deal.
The 5-foot-11 linebacker, who started Super Bowl LII for the Philadelphia Eagles, is expected to play on Monday night against the Chicago Bears, too.
LB Mychal Kendricks, released by the Browns following charges of insider trading, is signing a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks, per sources..
Seattle not likely to waste any time: Kendricks expected to play Monday night vs. Bears.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 14, 2018
Kendricks was expected to be sentenced in December, meaning the Seahawks would get the former second-round pick from the 2012 NFL Draft for the bulk of the regular season. However, ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting Kendricks is scheduled to be sentenced January 24 and could face 30-37 months in prison.
That would make linebacker Mychal Kendricks available for head coach Pete Carroll through the NFC Championship Game if the Seahawks were to make a playoff run.
New Seahawks’ LB Mychal Kendricks pled guilty last week to insider trading. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 24. Based on federal guidelines, he could face 30-37 months in prison.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 14, 2018
Seattle hosted the 27-year-old Kendricks for a visit on Thursday because he is permitted to play until the NFL reviews his case.
From @NFLprguy on soon-to-be #Seahawks LB Mychal Kendricks, who is awaiting federal sentencing: “The matter is under review. He is currently permitted to sign and participate in activities including games.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 14, 2018
The 2011 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year for the California Golden Bears, Kendricks being signed for his football talents is far from surprising. He has had a solid career, registering 459 tackles with 14 sacks, three interceptions and six forced fumbles.
But to sign him now, one week after he pled guilty to insider trader charges and faces jail time? That's not setting well with a lot of people.
Doesn't seem like a great look for the NFL for Martavis Bryant to play with an impending suspension & even worse Mychal Kendricks playing on Monday Night Football while awaiting sentencing on federal charges.
Would you want your team to sign & play these guys?
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) September 14, 2018
re: mychal kendricks—time and time again, teams are willing to cross red lines when they need talent. colin kaepernick is the exception, and his exclusion will loom over every signing like this for a long time.
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) September 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/Cianaf/status/1040402010732822528
Like it or not, Kendricks has signed a deal with the Seattle Seahawks, will play on Monday Night Football this week, and there's strangely nothing anyone can do about it.
