Kendricks was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft and later played for the Los Angeles Chargers.

They were raised by Thagon, their single mother, who had split from their father, Marvin, who became addicted to crack cocaine.

[2] Kendricks attended Herbert Hoover High School in Fresno, California, where he earned three letters for coach Pat Plummer playing linebacker, quarterback, running back, kicker, and punter and serving as team captain his junior and senior seasons.

[2] As a junior in 2008, he was named first-team All-league defense and was credited with 85 tackles and two sacks, as well as 10 touchdowns on offense.

Kendricks committed to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to play college football in November 2009.

[10] For the season, he won the Butkus Award, given annually to the top linebacker in college football and becoming UCLA's first winner.

The Vikings also selected former UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr in the previous draft, reuniting the teammates in the NFL.

[21] Throughout training camp, Kendricks competed to be the starting middle linebacker against Audie Cole and Gerald Hodges.

Head coach Mike Zimmer named Kendricks the backup middle linebacker to begin the regular season, behind starter Gerald Hodges.

[22] On October 7, 2015, the Vikings traded Gerald Hodges to the 49ers, effectively making Kendricks the starting middle linebacker for the remainder of the season.

His ten combined tackles tied a franchise record by a rookie, along with Harrison Smith in 2012 and Malik Boyd in 1994.

On October 25, 2015, Kendricks recorded six solo tackles and a season-high two sacks on quarterback Matthew Stafford as the Vikings defeated the Detroit Lions 28–19.

On January 19, 2016, Kendricks was named to the Pro Football Writers of America's (PFWA) 2015 NFL All-Rookie team.

Kendricks completed his rookie campaign with a total of 92 combined tackles (72 solo), four sacks, and one pass deflection in 14 games and 11 starts.

[26] After missing the entire preseason due to a hamstring injury he suffered early in training camp, Kendricks returned for the season opener game to bring back his first career interception 77 yards for a touchdown and post six tackles, including one for a loss, in Minnesota's 25–16 win over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.

[29] In Week 5, Kendricks was stellar in coverage against the Houston Texans, as he gave up just two receptions on seven targets for 19 yards and broke up a pass according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).

[34] In Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Kendricks forced a fumble on tight end Zach Ertz that was recovered by teammate Anthony Barr in the 38–20 win.

[37] In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the San Francisco 49ers, Kendricks intercepted a pass thrown by Jimmy Garoppolo and returned it for four yards during the 27–10 loss.

[39] On November 13, 2022, Kendricks recovered a botched snap in the endzone for a touchdown to give the Vikings the lead against the Bills.