ST. LOUIS -- A strong sense of belonging and respect for the coaching staff kept one of the best tight ends on the free-agent market in St. Louis.
Lance Kendricks says he turned down more money from the Atlanta Falcons when he agreed to a deal with the Rams reportedly worth four years and $18.5 million, including $10 million guaranteed. A solid first four years in the league earned him that kind of security, and Kendricks cared more about staying in the right system than maximizing his income.
"I really like my coaches and teammates," says Kendricks, who led the Rams with five receiving touchdowns in 2014. "I didn't want to jump into anything new and for me, I was drafted here, so being able to help build this team from the ground up was always a big thing for me."
He caught 28 passes for 352 yards as a rookie and made a significant jump the next season, setting career highs with 42 catches and 519 yards. The Rams also improved by five wins in their first season under coach Jeff Fisher and tight ends coach Rob Boras.
Kendricks says those two, particularly Boras, played a big factor in his decision to stay in St. Louis for another four years, even though he's no longer the top receiving option at tight end. The addition of Jared Cook in 2013 gave the Rams a better, more athletic downfield threat and cut Kendricks' yardage numbers in half, though he remained a threat on short routes and in the red zone.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound former Wisconsin standout knows he can improve considerably on his route running and ability to catch the football. But he still plays a big role in the run-heavy offense and hopes to do even more next season.
"Coach Boras and (offensive coordinator Frank) Cignetti, they spoke to me (last Thursday) about just implementing more options for me in the passing game," Kendricks says. "So I'm pretty happy about that and I'm excited to see what they have in the works."
He signed before learning about the trade for quarterback Nick Foles. But even though Kendricks admitted to being a bit surprised to see Sam Bradford leave, he says he didn't panic. Solid numbers in Philadelphia show Foles is capable of getting the ball out to his receivers, and he'll have several good ones in St. Louis now that the Rams have brought back both Kendricks and wide receiver Kenny Britt.
A strong bond with the team and the city made the decision a relatively easy one for Kendricks, who says those who have been around the franchise long enough "play with a chip on their shoulders." Of course, he's aware of the rumored move to Los Angeles after this season, but that didn't really concern Kendricks in negotiations.
In the end, no matter how much money he might get, he just couldn't see himself playing anywhere else.
You can follow Luke Thompson on Twitter at @FS_LukeT or email him at lukegthompson87@gmail.com.
