If we know anything about Darius Leonard, other than the fact he’s one of the most complete linebackers in the NFL, of course, it’s that he isn’t afraid to speak his mind.
That, as we’ve recently learned, doesn’t always paint Leonard in the greatest light, as he was caught liking tweets that criticized him for allegedly opposing the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, that was arguably Leonard’s only misstep — if you can even call it that — since he touched down in Indy three years ago. Most of his social media activity and comments about teammates have only validated the Colts’ decision to make him a face of the franchise.
This narrative continued when Leonard showered praise in the direction of one of the newest faces of the franchise, Carson Wentz. During an interview with Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire, Leonard lauded the former No. 2 overall pick’s leadership instincts.
Even better? Leonard is a BIG fan of Wentz’s natural arm talent.
The Maniac sees a natural leader in Carson Wentz. https://t.co/JMRikPvBt2
— TheColtsWire (@TheColtsWire) June 24, 2021
Colts fans will love Darius Leonard’s comments on Carson Wentz.
"“Damn skippy! He’s a monster, man,” Leonard said. “Just watching him in OTAs and stuff, he’s got a cannon for an arm, and he’s huge. He looks like a tight end. . .”“You would think that he’s been in this locker room for about seven years. He has this presence about him and his leadership role, and that’s what you need in a quarterback room.”"
That’s what we like to hear! We hate to keep bringing this up (not really, because poking fun at Philadelphia is always fun), but Leonard raving about Wentz‘s leadership and it feeling like he’s been in the Colts’ locker room for multiple years kind of debunks those reports that Wentz wasn’t a willing leader with the Eagles, right?
We can’t speak for everyone, but we haven’t heard a peep as far as complaints about Wentz’s character and his ability to connect with his new Colts teammates.
As if Leonard didn’t already give Colts fans enough reason to be optimistic about their new quarterback, the former second-rounder shifted gears to Indianapolis’ infrastructure and how that figures to help Wentz revert back to the top-tier QB he was before last season.
"“We have a great offensive line that’s going to protect him,” Leonard continued. “We have the best backfield in the NFL, in my opinion, and we have these great skill guys on the outside He came into a perfect place to have success. We believe in him. We know who he is, and we know what he can be. I can’t wait to see what he and Coach Frank (Reich) are going to step up and do.”"
Darius Leonard: Carson Wentz in perfect place to have success. https://t.co/gw3eGX664u
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 24, 2021
Colts fans have to like the sound of that, no?
Trading for Wentz was widely regarded as one of the biggest, if not the biggest, gambles of the offseason, and understandably so given what he looked like under center in 2020. However, the sheer hype the former Pro Bowler is receiving from his new teammates and coaching staff thus far suggests it could go down as a franchise-altering move (in a good way, obviously).
After all, when Leonard talks football, we tend to listen.
Colts: Why Carson Wentz is right about ‘something special’ in Indy
Carson Wentz appears to be adjusting well to his new life on the Colts. Without jinxing it, he just might do okay. No, he might do better than okay.