Dallas Cowboys: Shaq Leonard Signs, Showing Interest ‘Expected’ After All-Pro Clears Waivers
Three-time All-Pro Shaq Leonard is pausing to consider a recent past he describes as “shocking” while he mulls over his NFL future—one we would think could be worth investigating with the Dallas Cowboys.
“That’s the thing that hurts me the most,” Leonard stated after being abruptly cut by the Indianapolis Colts late Tuesday. “I feel that as the leader of that locker room, I left (my teammates) hanging.
Since joining the NFL among a second-round pick by the Colts in 2018, Leonard—who was formerly known among Darius Leonard who now goes by his middle name and his exuberant moniker, “The Maniac”—has established himself as one of the top linebackers in the league.
After Shaquille Leonard cleared waivers to become a free agent, the Eagles continue to investigate potential outsiders and new talent. General Manager Howie Roseman will now present his case.
The rumor that Dallas and Philadelphia are two of the teams that are considering signing an All-Pro linebacker is being reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
It’s conceivable that the Cowboys and Eagles will be interested. Leonard is connected to both teams, and both have seen the loss of a starter linebacker.
During the 2018–20 season, Leonard played alongside Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore while playing for the Colts, coached by Nick Sirianni of the Eagles.
Nakobe Dean, a second-year linebacker for the Eagles, was placed on injured reserve last week for his second time this year. Due to a Lisfranc injury, his season will probably finish.
Veteran linebacker Leighton Vander Esch of the Cowboys was placed on injured reserve on October 16 and informed early this month that his season was over due to a neck injury.
Given that the Colts will be responsible for paying Leonard’s remaining $6.1 million for this season, Leonard ought to be a no-risk addition.
The Colts’ 2018 second-round selection Leonard wasn’t satisfied with his role or playing time this season.
Despite playing in nine out of ten games and recording 65 tackles, he hasn’t had the same impact as the player who was named an All-Pro three times during his first four seasons.
Though the fan base is currently arguing on social media about whether the team ought to look into newly-available rusher Shaquille Leonard, who the Colts suddenly released next Tuesday after five seasons, the Dallas Cowboys are getting ready to play the commanders on Thanksgiving.
Although the Cowboys are unlikely to engage in a bidding war, they may have an advantage over other teams in terms of Leonard’s recruitment. To begin with, Leonard’s teammate in Indianapolis during the previous season was Stephon Gilmore.
Dallas could benefit from that alone, but safety Malik Hooker—who played with Leonard on the Colts in three seasons from 2018 to 2020—might be Jerry Jones’ best player.
That is unknown, but immediately after Leonard’s official release, the prior first-round pick hinted to it with a mysterious tweet. Strangely, in Indianapolis, Hooker and Leonard had similar falling outs.
In his rookie season, Hooker had an ACL tear that kept him out of nine games. Before suffering an Achilles tear two games before the 2020 season, Hooker’s third and fourth seasons were replete with a lot of spectacular plays and coverage blunders.
Leonard, on the other hand, had amazing success with the Colts. After winning the Defensive Rookie Player of the Year award in 2018, he was named to the All-Pro team three times in a row.
In each of the four seasons, he recorded at least 120 tackles, and in 2020, he led the NFL wit eight forced fumbles.
Furthermore, even though Leonard was only able to play in three games in 2022 due to injuries, no linebacker has more interceptions as Leonard (12) since he joined the league in 2018.