The Shaquille Leonard sweepstakes have come to an end. The All-Pro free agent has come to terms on a one-year deal with the Eagles, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets. The team has since announced the agreement.
Leonard’s choice was widely understood to be down to the Eagles or the divisional-rival Cowboys. Both teams hosted the veteran linebacker on a visit last week, expressing an interest in a deal provided the terms were reasonable. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed a wait-and-see attitude earlier today while awaiting Leonard’s decision, but as Rapoport notes, Philadelphia was always his “preferred destination.” 
After both Dallas and Philadelphia hosted Leonard, it became clear he would wait until after the Week 13 slate of Sunday games to decide on his next home. Today’s news means he will join a team other than the Colts for the first time in his career, but his addition could prove to be crucial in the race for the NFC East crown. The Cowboys and Eagles play each other in Week 14, which could very well mark Leonard’s debut for his new employer.
Issues related to playing time led the Colts to move on from the 28-year-old last month. All teams were eligible to add him via waivers, but putting in a claim would have tied them to the remainder of his contract. To no surprise, he cleared and became a free agent. A short list of teams emerged, with the Eagles and Cowboys immediately at the forefront. The Broncos and Vikings were briefly mentioned as potential suitors, but neither squad hosted him on a free agent visit. Now, attention will turn to the Eagles’ general linebacker situation and where Leonard will fit into it.
Zach Cunningham has been dealing with a hamstring injury, and his absence was a major factor in Philadelphia’s pursuit of Leonard. The former was missed during the Eagles’ blowout loss to the 49ers yesterday, a game in which the team’s defense endured a sustained inability to slow down San Francisco’s offense. Leonard could play a part in helping a unit which ranks 23rd and 24th in total and scoring defense, respectively. Especially after Cunningham returns, though, a rotational role will likely await the three-time Pro Bowler.
Leonard has been limited to 12 games across the past two seasons as back issues have led to surgery and signficant missed time. Questions abound regarding his ability to regain his previous form after he logged a snap share of 70% in Indianapolis this season, by far his lowest in a full campaign. The Colts have moved on with younger, less expensive options at the second level, but the Eagles will take a flier on Leonard still being able to make an impact. Philadelphia entered the day with $3.39MM in cap space, meaning today’s deal will not be a lucrative one.
Still atop the division despite yesterday’s loss, the Eagles remain in the driver’s seat for the NFC’s top seed. Leonard will look to give their postseason push a boost and in doing so help his free agent prospects. How he fits into Philadelphia’s defense and the impact he can make will be a key storyline to follow down the stretch.
Needed this one.
Howie does it again.
Yea signing a guy whose team cut him cause he’s washed up.. and only 2 out of 32 teams showed interest.. yea did it again
He outflanked a division rival who wanted him.
Outflanked em baby!
His team cut him because they are a pretender,going younger,going cheap. As far as your ludicrous and down right fathead comment that only 2 of 32 teams were interested I count 4 in this article alone. You knucklehead are DISMISSED!
Harden – pretty cocky calling the Colts a pretender; especially since your HC came from there just a couple years ago. If releasing an underperforming, overpaid, former shell of himself is going cheap; then
so be it. He only visited 2 teams, that’s not ludicrous, just a fact. He hasn’t got it, watch him run around avoiding contact; his only tackles were from behind, after a 8-9 yard run.
Mad BRUH?
More of a system problem then those 2
I hate the eagles. But you’re wrong. Their GM has been nothing short of fantastic for the last few years. I don’t think he’s washed up, I think he’s had a tough time recovering from an ankle, back and head injury. He wasn’t seeing time due to his “lack of fit in the defense” not his inability to play football. Great move.
He may not be washed up but I’m betting Howie is counting on the vets in that defense to make this work. There’s more to his release than is in these media blurbs.
Howie needs to start taking the LB position seriously and stop shopping at the Dollar Store. We’ll see if Leonard has any tread left on the tires, but LB must be a real priority in the offseason.
I think CB is an even bigger issue. Bradberry and Slay are both garbage
Both LB and secondary need help but the 49ers were burning the LB’s all day. Bradberry was targeted zero times Sunday.
Eagles under Laurie ownership hardly ever spend on linebackers.
I called it. Man I’ve been in a role lately lol
Oof. Bad miss for Dallas. I get that they’re trying to be more patient with acquisitions, which has shown in the last couple of seasons, but this seemed like a more obvious need for them than it was for Philly.
Good move by the Eagles. Now, I have no clue whether Leonard is washed up or not, but he should at least offer reasonable ability to hold a starting spot. It is very possible that he becomes a negative as an acquisition, but the chance that a team takes to get what could be a solid starter at a position of need would certainly be worth it midyear. Not many other free agents are out there with more potential, especially at this point in the season. We’ll see what the Eagles get out of Leonard.
Leonard had back surgery last year, was dragging his legs around the field which reduced him to a sub par performer. As a result, the Colts told him his services were no longer needed and cut him. Not so sure the Eagles improve their roster with this acquisition.
It’s a move they did not somebody and his body of work is better than any other FA. I just don’t know if he can stay healthy, they have been hoping Avonte Maddox could stay healthy the last 3 years. Some guys just stay injured.
He’s not the same player. If he was, he wouldn’t have been cut. The Eagles LB definitely needed him more and is likely still an upgrade.
Uh, it’s definitely a bigger need for the Eagles. Did you watch the game last night in the middle of the field?
I understand that he’s a backup, but Morrow really did not have a good game.
The Eagles linebackers were exposed by the 49ers – but this guy isn’t who he used to be, thus he isn’t likely to be the answer.
When you do no work on the team project and still get an A
Another player is turning down a chance to play in Dallas. I love it.
bro they cant keep GETTING AWAY WITH THIS LIKE OH MY GOD ARE THE EAGLES THE ONLY TEAM ALLOWED TO MAKE TRADES/SIGNINGS