The Philadelphia Eagles and former All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard agreed to terms on a one-year deal, the team announced Monday. Leonard had previously visited the Dallas Cowboys but elected to join Philadelphia after visiting with the team last week.
Leonard was waived by the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 21 after spending the first six years of his career there. He made four All-Pro teams before his career was derailed by recurring back injuries.
We've agreed to terms on a one-year deal with LB Shaquille Leonard. pic.twitter.com/WjCsPDHRVQ
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 4, 2023
In Philadelphia, Leonard will join the 10-2 Eagles who boast the best record in the NFL, despite coming off a loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
After playing just three games in 2022, Leonard appeared in nine contests with Indianapolis this year but grew frustrated with his limited role. He voiced those growing frustrations each week until the Colts decided to waive him.
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Why Philadelphia needed him
Leonard’s signing with the Eagles comes at a critical time. The franchise began dealing with depth issues at linebacker when Nakobe Dean was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 16 with a foot injury. Then, starting linebacker Zach Cunningham suffered a hamstring injury against the Buffalo Bills that sidelined him in Sunday’s 42-19 loss against the 49ers.
The Eagles unraveled in that loss partly due to how frequently the 49ers exploited mismatches against linebackers Nicholas Morrow and Christian Elliss. Morrow was often targeted in pass coverage, and Deebo Samuel broke free from Morrow on the way to a 48-yard touchdown reception. The 49ers also averaged 5.2 yards per carry. The problems at linebacker had persisted for weeks, but quarterback Jalen Hurts helped mask the issues with second-half heroics that yielded four straight comebacks. — Brooks Kubena, Eagles staff writer
Leonard’s history with Nick Sirianni
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni’s history with Leonard likely helped land the linebacker. Sirianni told reporters Wednesday he “was close with” Leonard while he was the Colts’ offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2020. Leonard visited with the Eagles after visiting with the Cowboys, and it was expected that Leonard would consider his options through the weekend.
“Obviously, there is a prior relationship there,” Sirianni said then. “I was close with him when we were in Indy. I just thought you can learn so much from good players. Just think about how he went about, how he attacked the day and also how he saw the game, as an offensive coach … that was always a good perspective talking to him and I just had so much respect for him.” — Kubena
What this means for Leonard
Leonard joining the Eagles makes a ton of sense given his previous history with Sirianni, who witnessed Leonard at the peak of his powers from 2018 to 2020. They also have similar outspoken personalities and relish any opportunity to silence the naysayers. If Philadelphia returns to the Super Bowl and wins it this season, Leonard’s victory lap after being cut by the Colts would be appointment television.
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However, it’s important to keep in mind that Philadelphia is not getting the star player Leonard once was with the Colts, otherwise they wouldn’t have let him go. The former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and three-time first-team All-Pro was on a Hall-of-Fame trajectory through his first four seasons in Indianapolis, but he underwent two back surgeries last year to correct a nerve issue that affected the use of his left leg and he’s been a shell of himself ever since. Indianapolis responded to Leonard’s decline by significantly reducing his playing time this season. Excluding one game he missed due to a groin injury, Leonard played just 15.6 percent of the Colts’ third-down defensive snaps in the nine games he appeared in this year.
Leonard, 28, said he still has a lot left in the tank, but it would be a remarkable turnaround if he regains his All-Pro form in Philadelphia. It’s more realistic for Leonard to step in as an experienced backup who can galvanize a Super Bowl contender with his tenacious veteran leadership.
“I use everything as motivation, man,” Leonard said after being cut by the Colts. “I want to prove ’em wrong. I want to make sure they understand that I can play ball, man. I don’t like how I was thrown out the door.” — James Boyd, Colts staff writer
How much can Leonard bolster the Eagles’ LB room?
By adding Leonard, the Eagles are now better positioned at linebacker as they prepare for their third straight playoff push. But questions remain just how much better Leonard makes them. Yes, he’s a four-time All-Pro. But he did miss the majority of the 2022 season rehabbing from back surgery.
His metrics still project a favorable improvement, though. Leonard has been attributed with 17 receptions in coverage, which is tied for 17th fewest among NFL linebackers according to Pro Football Focus (min. 167 snaps). His two missed tackles on run plays are also tied for the 17th fewest. — Kubena
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What they’re saying
Sirianni told reporters on Monday “we’ll see” when asked if Leonard will be ready to play against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Arlington, Texas. Sirianni said the Eagles are “obviously excited” to add Leonard, who brings more depth to an injury-riddled position. Sirianni said “we still have confidence in the tape that he can still play.”
Required reading
- Shaq Leonard ‘hurt’ by the way Colts ‘pushed me out the door’: ‘I gave them everything’
- Shaq Leonard wants bigger role in Colts’ struggling defense, but he’s still waiting
- Former Colts LB Shaquille Leonard goes unclaimed on waivers: How injuries derailed his stellar run in Indy
(Photo: John Byrum / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)