Tag: shaquille leonard

Instant analysis of Eagles signing Shaq Leonard to a deal ahead of game vs. Cowboys

We’re looking at the instant analysis of the Philadelphia Eagles signing linebacker Shaquille Leonard to a one-year deal

After watching his team get shredded by the 49ers, Howie Roseman didn’t stand pat and made linebacker depth a priority, signing Shaquille Leonard to a one-year contract on Monday.

Leonard joins a linebacker corps decimated by injuries: Nakobe Dean is on Injured Reserve with a foot injury, and Zach Cunningham missed Sunday’s game against the 49ers because of a hamstring injury.

The Eagles have three weakside linebackers on their active roster – Christian Elliss, Nicholas Morrow, and Ben VanSumeren, and they all lack the athleticism and dual-threat abilities at the position.

Leonard, a second-round draft pick (No. 36 overall) of the Colts, was a three-time first-team All-Pro, once a second-team All-Pro, and a three-time Pro Bowl player.

He was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018.

With Leonard now in the fold, here’s an instant analysis of the move.

National reaction to Eagles signing Shaquille Leonard to a 1-year deal

We’re looking at the national reaction to the Philadelphia Eagles signing Shaquille Leonard to a one-year deal

The Eagles were manhandled by the 49ers on Sunday afternoon and spent the evening making sure Shaquille Leonard was on the first plane to Philadelphia.

The former Colts All-Pro is signing with the Eagles and will be on the roster for the Week 14 showdown against the Cowboys.

Leonard logged 65 total tackles, including 2 for loss, in nine games before the Colts waived the former All-Pro linebacker.

In Philadelphia, Leonard will team with Zach Cunningham to provide the Eagles with an immediate upgrade at the position.

With the signing complete, here’s the national reaction to the move.

The Eagles signed Shaquille Leonard to help their ailing defense and fans were so relieved

The Eagles’ awful defense needed Shaquille Leonard so badly.

The Philadelphia Eagles might own the NFL’s best record at 10-2, but they’re not infallible. Far from it.

In this case, I’m talking about Philadelphia’s mediocre defense, which is 21st in DVOA efficiency, 24th in points allowed, and 30th in total passing defense. After the rival San Francisco 49ers dropped 42 points on Sunday (thanks largely to Deebo Samuel), it was abundantly clear that Philly needed to add defensive reinforcements somewhere.

Howie Roseman and Co. have decided it’ll be a former All-Pro linebacker.

On Monday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Eagles signed former Colts standout defender Shaquille Leonard. A standout playmaker in Indianapolis for the better part of almost six seasons, the Colts released Leonard after rampant injuries, and a new defensive scheme finally diminished what he brings to the table. Leonard is assuredly no longer a star player as it stands.

But he’s still a massive upgrade for an ailing Eagles defense that isn’t capable of stopping anyone:

Here’s the Eagles’ official announcement of the Leonard move:

In a funny coincidence, Leonard’s first game with Philadelphia could be in Sunday night’s de facto NFC East title game against the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas was the other team the linebacker visited as a free agent. The Eagles are clearly hoping that Leonard — who hasn’t played since mid-November –can shift the tide against a Dallas squad riding the high of a potential Dak Prescott MVP campaign.

If Leonard can’t do it, it might just be a lost year for the Philadelphia defense.

Eagles sign LB Shaquille Leonard ahead of Week 14 matchup vs. Cowboys

After going unclaimed on waivers, former Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles were dominated in several facets of Sunday’s 42-19 loss to the 49ers, but no weakness was more glaring than the obvious mismatch between the San Francisco skill players, and Philadelphia’s linebacker duo of Nicholas Morrow and Christian Elliss.

Morrow was the primary target on two large gains to Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle and his missed tackle on a Deebo Samuel catch and run led to a 49ers touchdown.

With Philadelphia badly in need of help, Shaquille Leonard has agreed to a one-year deal per Adam Schefter.

Leonard joins a linebacker corps that has been decimated by injuries: Nakobe Dean is on Injured Reserve with a foot injury and Zach Cunningham missed Sunday’s game against the 49ers because of a hamstring injury. The Eagles have three weakside linebackers on their active roster – Christian Elliss, Nicholas Morrow, and Ben VanSumeren.

Leonard was a three-time first-team All-Pro, once a second-team All-Pro, and a three-time Pro Bowl player.

He was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018.

During his final half a season with the Colts, Leonard logged 65 total tackles, including 2 for loss, in nine games.

Shaquille Leonard taking the weekend to choose between Eagles-Cowboys

Shaquille Leonard has met with Philadelphia and Dallas and will now take the weekend to decide between signing with the Eagles or Cowboys

According to Ian Rapoport, after a whirlwind of 24 hours of plane trips and lunch with GMs, former All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard will take the weekend to decide between joining the Cowboys or Eagles.

After a Tuesday meeting in Dallas, Leonard arrived in Philadelphia on Wednesday morning, and the Eagles head coach decided to get an early start on conversations.

During his session with the local and national media, head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed that he’s been calling the former All-Pro linebacker since Indianapolis waived him.

A 2018 second-round pick of the Colts, Leonard won Defensive Rookie of the Year while being named a first-team All-Pro. He developed into one of the top linebackers in the NFL, earning All-Pro honors three times in his first four seasons.

Back injuries limited him to three games last year, and he has seen a sharp cut to his playing time throughout this season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=15489]

Nick Sirianni confirms he’s called Shaq Leonard several times to recruit LB to Eagles

Nick Sirianni confirms he’s called Shaq Leonard several times to recruit LB to Eagles

After a Tuesday meeting in Dallas, Shaquille Leonard arrived in Philadelphia on Wednesday morning, and the Eagles head coach decided to get an early start on conversations.

During his session with the local and national media, head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed that he’s been calling the former All-Pro linebacker since Indianapolis waived him.

An offensive coordinator for the Colts before getting the Philadelphia coaching job, Sirianni has a familiarity and relationship with Leonard that could get a deal done before this weekend’s contest against San Francisco.

Leonard is unlikely to play for any team he signs with ahead of Week 13.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=15489]

Eagles’ linebacker Zach Cunningham to miss time with a hamstring injury

Philadelphia Eagles’ linebacker Zach Cunningham to miss time with a hamstring injury

On the day that Philadelphia is hosting Shaquille Leonard on a free-agent visit, the team expects starting linebacker Zach Cunningham to miss time with a hamstring injury.

According to The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, Cunningham will be out this week against San Francisco, and he could potentially miss more time.

Christian Elliss played 27 snaps in relief of Cunningham last Sunday, amassing seven tackles and one tackle for loss on the afternoon.

If Cunningham does miss time, the Eagles will start Elliss alongside Nicholas Morrow, while rookie Ben VanSumeren could be signed to the active roster.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=15489]

Shaquille Leonard to visit Eagles after successful Cowboys visit

Shaquille Leonard is scheduled to visit the Eagles on Wednesday.

Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard is making the rounds and now is set to visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday.

Leonard left his free-agent visit with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday without a contract, which was expected considering the three-time All-Pro First-Team selection will likely take his time mulling offers.

Now, Leonard is set to visit the Eagles and former Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni on Wednesday.

It will be interesting to see where Leonard lands, but it’s no surprise he’s generating interest from around the league. We’ll keep you updated on any further developments with his free agency visits.

[lawrence-related id=91878,91876,91874]

Eagles waive CB Josiah Scott, freeing up a spot on the 53-man roster

The Philadelphia Eagles waived cornerback Josiah Scott and now have an open spot on the 53-man roster

The Eagles have an open roster spot after waiving cornerback Josiah Scott, and the team could be set to make several different moves.

Scott played four games this season, logging one solo tackle on 17 snaps, but he was inactive for Sunday’s overtime win over the Bills.

Philadelphia has already elevated undrafted rookie linebacker Ben VanSumeren three times for special teams purposes, so the team would need to give him a spot on the 53 to keep using him.

Free agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard is meeting with the team on Wednesday, and the roster spot could be used for him if he agrees to a deal.

The Eagles signed the cornerback to the active roster from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad on October 18, 2023.

Scott played in 29 games with the Eagles, making four starts, logging 38 tackles, eight pass deflections, two interceptions, and one sack.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=15489]

Shaquille Leonard to meet with the Eagles

Free agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard is expected to visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday after a Tuesday meeting with the Dallas Cowboys

The Eagles and Cowboys are fighting for NFC East supremacy, and it appears both teams will battle for the right to sign linebacker Shaquille Leonard.

After a visit to Dallas on Tuesday, Leonard is traveling to Philadelphia for a meeting with the Eagles.

A 2018 second-round pick of the Colts, Leonard won Defensive Rookie of the Year while being named a first-team All-Pro. He developed into one of the top linebackers in the NFL, earning All-Pro honors three times in his first four seasons.

Back injuries limited him to three games last year, and he has seen a sharp cut to his playing time throughout this season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=15489]