Former Colts All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard signing with Philadelphia Eagles
Following team visits with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles last, free agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard has signed with the Eagles, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Although the Cowboys beat the Seahawks while the Eagles lost to the 49ers in Week 13, it was Philadelphia that walked away from the week with additional help at linebacker. Now, the two teams head into a key divisional showdown in Week 14 at AT&T Stadium.
Leonard visited both teams but Philadelphia was his preferred landing spot, according to Rapoport.
Leonard immediately secured interest from teams hoping to make a postseason push after the Colts decided to move on. The main concern surrounding the former South Carolina State star is his health. The sixth-year player underwent multiple back surgeries in the span of four months in 2022. Although he’s bounced back from injury, his playing time significantly decreased.
Prior to his release from Indianapolis, he recorded 65 tackles with four tackles for loss in his nine-game appearances.
After visiting Dallas, Leonard visited Philadelphia to close out the week. He was supposedly planning to decide over the weekend but waited until Monday to announce he would join the 10-2 Eagles.
Leonard finds new home with Super Bowl contender
Leonard was waived following frustrations with the team regarding his playing time, with Pro Football Reference revealing that he only played in 70% of the team’s defensive snaps when active this season.
“Indy, I want to thank you for accepting me and my family with open arms,” Leonard wrote in his farewell message. “These past six years has been nothing but incredible! Through the good times and bad time y’all stood by my side. I apologize for not bringing that trophy back to the 317. The energy at Lucas Oil has been nothing but amazing and I thank you for every memory. I’m thankful to play for such an amazing fan base. I love you guys and wish the Colts nothing but the best!”
The Colts selected the standout out of South Carolina State with the No. 36 overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Leonard led the entire NFL in tackles with a career-high 163 tackles adding seven sacks, two interceptions, and four forced fumbles to his stat line.
He earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018 and First-Team All-Pro honors, which he’d go on to achieve two more times in his career along with a Second-Team selection and three Pro Bowl appearances.