The Minnesota Vikings parted ways with one of their starters this season as they traded linebacker Gerald Hodges to the San Francisco 49ers for center Nick Easton and a 2016 sixth-round draft pick. 

Hodges started in all four of the Vikings' games this season but in a report by ESPN, team general manager Rick Spielman said that one of the factors that led to the trade is rookie linebacker Eric Kendricks. 

In his rookie season, Kendricks has been coming in games to replace Hodges, but Spielman believes they can give him a much bigger role so the trade was accomplished, ESPN reported. 

Hodges has 20 tackles so far this season while Kendricks, who also played in all four games for Minnesota this season, has 19 tackles and one sack. 

Another factor is the Vikings' depth at the linebacker position, which Spielman said is one of the team's strengths. 

Spielman also discussed about Easton, who was someone they wanted to sign following the 2015 National Football League (NFL) Draft. 

"He played very well in the preseason. We monitored him when he was with the Ravens," Spielman said, according to ESPN. 

"It's just an opportunity to get another young player, to get in and take a look at him, and see what we have and what he can potentially develop into," he added. 

The Vikings were originally without a sixth-round draft pick for 2016 after giving it to the San Diego Chargers for offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles last month. 

Minnesota opened the 2015 season with a defeat to the San Francisco 49ers but bounced back to win two consecutive against the Detroit Lions and Chargers, before losing last Sunday to the Denver Broncos. 

The Vikings are having their bye week in Week 5 and will resume action on Oct. 18 as they host the Kansas City Chiefs at the TCF Bank Stadium.