On Tuesday, the Indianapolis Colts made the shocking decision to release linebacker Shaquille Leonard. It wasn’t necessarily a surprise that he was waived, many people expected that to happen this coming offseason. It’s the fact that Indy decided to do it during the season, with seven weeks remaining in the regular season.
Since entering the league in 2018, Shaq Leonard has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL. In his first four seasons, he made three Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams (three First-Team). However, the last two years have been a struggle for Leonard. In 2022, he had two back surgeries and played just 74 snaps over three games. In 2023, Leonard has been healthy, but he has struggled to find a role and his rhythm with the team.
Only playing 70% of the defensive snaps this year, Leonard has 65 tackles with two for a loss in nine games this season. While he hasn’t been The Turnover King, elite version of himself, he’ll likely still generate a ton of interest now that he’s available. His massive contract makes it unlikely that he’ll be claimed on waivers, but there will definitely be a few teams willing to sign him once he’s officially a free agent.
As a veteran, that wants to win, Leonard will likely want to go to a contender. So while there are teams that he has connections to (Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers), their record will keep them off the list of options. Let’s take a look at four teams that make a lot of sense for Leonard.
4. The Miami Dolphins make sense for Shaquille Leonard
Dolphins fans have been trying to get a Colts player down to Miami since the offseason. Of course, it started with their desires for running back Jonathan Taylor. However, he remains in Indianapolis, but another Malki Kawa client is now available, and does make sense.
Miami is currently 7-3 and on their way to comfortably winning the AFC East. They have one of the most productive offenses ever and a defense that has made significant strides with Vic Fangio and Jalen Ramsey. However, many fans will admit that they aren’t comfortable with the off-ball linebacker group.
The starting inside linebackers are David Long Jr. and Jerome Baker. While there are concerns about Baker, Long has been playing pretty well lately. There isn’t much proven depth behind them, though. Leonard could join the team, provide depth, be a rotational piece, and probably even start depending on how he looks on the field.
3. The Pittsburgh Steelers make sense for Shaquille Leonard
Pittsburgh is a weird team. The Steelers have been out gained in every game this season, yet, they are 6-4 and currently holding a playoff spot. Still, they fired their offensive coordinator on Tuesday, and no one really respects their record or the fact that they could realistically be in the postseason this year.
While the offense has been receiving all the heat, the defense has been uncharacteristically bad. Pittsburgh is currently allowing 367.6 yards a game, 27th in the NFL. Somehow, though, the team is only allowing 19.5 points a game, seventh-best in the league.
Linebacker has been a point of weakness in recent weeks due to health. In Week 9, the Steelers lost Cole Holcomb to a season-ending injury. A week later, they lost Kwon Alexander to a season-ending injury. This has led to Pittsburgh signing retired linebackers Myles Jack and Blake Martinez.
They’ll now have the opportunity to add a linebacker that isn’t retired. Leonard wants to be on the field full time and the Steelers can provide him that opportunity. It’ll be a move that makes sense for both sides.
2. The Philadelphia Eagles make sense for Shaquille Leonard
The Eagles are the best team in the NFL. They are 9-1, hold wins over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Miami Dolphins, and the Dallas Cowboys, and have stars just about everywhere you look on the roster. No way they need to add another former All-Pro player, right? Wrong. Philly absolutely needs help at linebacker.
The Eagles currently have linebackers Nakobe Dean and Shaun Bradley on injured reserve. The team’s starters are Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow. After them, there isn’t much depth at inside linebacker and that’s why Philadelphia has been connected to every available linebacker this year.
Despite being 9-1, Philly’s defense hasn’t been as dominant as it was a year ago, though, the Eagles do have the No. 1 rushing defense, giving up just 76.5 rushing yards a game. Those numbers could be influenced by Philly’s struggling passing defense.
It probably won’t hurt the Eagles if they don’t get Shaq Leonard, but when you have a team this good, why not be sure and just answer any lingering questions on the roster. Leonard will definitely love to compete for a Super Bowl and he could help Philadelphia get back there.
1. The Dallas Cowboys make sense for Shaquille Leonard
The Dallas Cowboys are currently 7-3 and are playing really good football. However, the linebacker position has been a challenge for them all season. Rookie linebacker DeMarvion Overshown has been out all year with a torn ACL and starter Leighton Vander Esch was recently placed on injured reserve with a season-ending neck injury that has brought his career into question.
To cover up for the injuries, Dallas has Markquese Bell starting at middle linebacker, a second-year defender that entered the league as a safety, and has even played star defender Micah Parsons more snaps off ball than the team probably wanted to. Still, the Cowboys have managed to be one of the best defenses in the NFL.
However, Dallas has been average against the run, giving up 109.2 rushing yards per game, 15th in the league. Jerry Jones would surely love to add to his linebacker room, filling as many holes as possible heading into the home stretch of the season. Shaquille Leonard is the perfect player to address the need at linebacker.
It also doesn’t hurt that Micah Parsons is one of Leonard’s biggest fans. Surely, the elite young defender would love to lineup alongside Shaq Leonard and wreak havoc on offenses.