Eagles

Report: Eagles competing with NFC East rival for free agent LB Shaquille Leonard

It isn’t too often that All-Pro players are available 12 weeks into the season, but here we are.

On Monday afternoon, the Indianapolis Colts surprisingly released LB Darius Shaquille Leonard amid reduced playing time, sending him to waivers.

The sixth-year pro cleared waivers on Tuesday, making him an unrestricted free agent. Leonard can now sign with any team of his choosing at a $420k veteran minimum salary for the rest of 2023. The Colts will be responsible for paying Leonard the remaining $15.3M of his salary.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports two division rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, are interested in signing Leonard.

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The Eagles have gotten solid play from Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow this season but still have a need at linebacker with Nakobe Dean on IR. Leonard has familiarity with Nick Sirianni from their time together in Indianapolis, and the chance to play for a contender may prove enticing.

GM Howie Roseman is no stranger to mid-season splash acquisitions, evidenced by his trade deadline deal for All-Pro safety Kevin Byard. With Philadelphia hellbent on capturing a Super Bowl title, Leonard could help fortify Sean Desai’s defense down the stretch.

Leonard was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018 and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2018, 2020, and 2021. In 70 games with Indianapolis, Leonard tallied 32 tackles for loss, 31 passes defended, 20 QB hits, 12 INTs, and 17 forced fumbles.

Mandatory Credit: Getty Images

Victor Williams is the host/producer of The Philly Pod on iHeartRadio and leads all Eagles coverage as co-founder of The Liberty Line.

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