On Sunday, linebacker Shaquille Leonard attended the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and received a proper farewell from the franchise and the fans. Now, the free agent’s market is heating up as he decides on his next team. It has already been reported that several top teams are interested in Leonard.
That interest is about to manifest into tangible steps. On Sunday, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that the franchise definitely has an interest in Leonard. Hours later, on Sunday night, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that Leonard has a visit with the Cowboys scheduled for Tuesday.
Three-time All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard is scheduled to visit the #Cowboys on Tuesday, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 27, 2023
Dallas is thin on linebacker depth, and Leonard wouldn’t cost much with the #Colts on the hook for his salary. pic.twitter.com/bWCtP3fnwc
Shaquille Leonard scheduled to visit Cowboys on Tuesday
The second Leonard was released, everyone circled Dallas as a likely team for his next destination. The Cowboys are a contender but they have also struggled with depth at inside linebacker this season. With Leighton Vander Esch sidelined for the rest of the season, Leonard would be the perfect addition for Dallas. Tuesday’s visit could be the first step to making that happen.
However, there’s a team and fan base hoping that Leonard doesn’t end up with the Cowboys. It’s the same team and fans that are usually hoping for the Cowboys’ downfall: the Philadelphia Eagles. However, it’s not that Philly and its fans just don’t want to see Dallas add a good player, the Eagles are actually interested in adding Leonard themselves.
I'm told the #Eagles now have increasing interest in pursuing free agent LB Shaq Leonard, following the reported hamstring injury to LB Zach Cunningham Sunday, per source. https://t.co/hliVjtAoFD
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 27, 2023
Eagles have increased interest in Shaquille Leonard
Philadelphia was also one of the initial teams circled for Leonard, for the same reasons as Dallas: the Eagles are a contender with questions about their linebacker depth. On Sunday, the already thin group took another hit with Zack Cunningham suffering a hamstring injury. The severity of the injury hasn’t been announced, but NFL Insider Josina Anderson reported that the injury is enough for Philly to have an increased interest in Leonard.
It seems like the two best teams in the NFC East are about to battle for Shaquille Leonard. Dallas seems to have the upper hand with a visit scheduled, but there’s more than enough time for Howie Roseman and the Eagles to work and possibly take Leonard right out of Dallas’ clutches. The NFL world will wait and see if Leonard is with one of these top NFC East squads by the end of the weeek.