Report: Shaquille Leonard visiting Cowboys on Tuesday, will meet with Eagles 'later this week'
The Dallas Cowboys appear to be in a battle with the Philadelphia Eagles over more than the NFC East this week. Following a visit with the Cowboys at The Star on Tuesday, free agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard will also reportedly visit the Eagles “later this week” before making a decision about where to play next, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Leonard was released by the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday in the midst of his sixth season with the team, now leaving room for the decorated linebacker to potentially have a major impact on whichever team he joins.
Jerry Jones kept his cards close to the vest this week regarding potentially signing Leonard saying, “I don’t want to imply one way or the other with Leonard.” But there’s no question that having him play beside another former NFL All-Pro like Micah Parsons and the new single-season record holder for interceptions returned for touchdowns in DaRon Bland would take Dallas’ already elite defense to another level.
Unfortunately for Dallas, the Philadelphia Eagles also have an attractive defense and they’re still riding high off of a takedown of the Kansas City Chiefs. With either team he chooses, Leonard is guaranteed a post-season run.
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.
Colts part ways with Shaq Leonard after six seasons
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. This year for Indianapolis he recorded 65 tackles in his nine-game appearances.
“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!”