Just before the Los Angeles Rams left to hold minicamp in Maui, they unexpectedly released cornerback Derion Kendrick. Days later, he re-signed with the team.

After being cut, Kendrick had to go through waivers but no team claimed him. That allowed him to become a free agent, able to sign with any team in the NFL. He chose to stay with the Rams and on Wednesday, he explained that decision to return to Los Angeles.

“I love the people here,” Kendrick told WLTX. “I’ve built so many relationships in this organization, and I’ve got so much love for it. And I know the playbook like the back of my hand, so I wouldn’t want to be nowhere else, for real.”

The Rams’ decision to waive Kendrick was strictly financial, saving $3.4 million in cap space and then signing him to a $1.03 million deal with no guaranteed money. Essentially, he agreed to take a pay cut but if he wanted, Kendrick could’ve sought a fresh start with another team after the Rams released him.

This summer, Kendrick has been working with the second-team defense as he attempts to make the 53-man roster. He missed all of 2024 after suffering a torn ACL in camp last year, so it’s been a while since he played an NFL game.

“Just being a competitor, I always want to be the first one going out there,” he said. “But right now, I’m just stacking my days, getting better each day.”

Ahead of Kendrick on the depth chart are Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, Ahkello Witherspoon and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. Quentin Lake can also be considered a cornerback at times, given his role as the Rams’ slot defender.

Kendrick has plenty of work to do but now that he’s healthy, he’s on track to rebound from a lost season.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams CB Derion Kendrick explains why he returned following release