JUST-IN: Colts release three-time All-pro linebacker ahead of week 12
Colts release former All-Pro LB named 2018 Defensive Player of the Year
The Indianapolis Colts will end their bye week without one of their best defensive plays in years. Indianapolis released linebacker Shaquille Leonard on Tuesday. The former All-Pro confirmed the news in a social media post saying goodbye to the franchise and the city.
“Indy, I want to thank you for welcoming me and my family with open arms,” Leonard wrote. “The last six years have been amazing! You’ve been there for me through the good times and the bad. I’m sorry I couldn’t return this award to 317. The energy at Lucas Oil was amazing and I cherish all the memories. I am grateful to be able to play in front of such amazing crowds. I love you guys and I hope the foals are doing their best!”
Colts owner Jim Irsay also took to social media after the trade to reflect on Leonard’s tenure, admitting the NFL is a “tough business.”
“Colts Nation will always remember Maniac’s palpable energy on the field with every tackle, catch, tackle and throw,” Irsay said in a statement. “Off the field, he is a servant leader and has served countless families in his hometown and the Indianapolis community. We appreciate Shaq and his contributions to our organization. We wish him and his beautiful family all the best for the future.”
Leonard, who asked to use his father’s name, Shaquille, instead of Darius in 2022, arrived in Indianapolis as a second-round pick out of South Carolina in 2018. He made an immediate impact for the Colts and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year after leading the league in tackles. During his tenure, he made the All-Pro first team three times and was named to the Pro Bowl four times. However, Leonard has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons. He was limited to three games in 2022 due to offseason back surgery, suffered a concussion in Week 4 of the year and was placed on injured reserve in Week 10 after battling a back injury. Leonard started nine games for the Colts this season and recorded 65 tackles.
Leonard is currently going through the waiver process and could be claimed by any team in the league. If a team claims him, he would have to pay around $6 million in base salary for the remainder of the season. Leonard is also under contract until 2026, but has reached the cap and is owed $13.6 million in 2024, $14.8 million in 2025, and $19.1 million in 2026. With that in mind, it seems like he could clear waivers and then sign a better contract with an NFL team.
landing place
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers’ linebacker room has been decimated by injuries. Miles had to retire Jack to fill the void. Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander recently suffered season-ending injuries, and Michal Walker started Sunday against the Browns after previously being on the practice squad. Leonard could compete for an actual starting spot, or he could join Walker, Jack and Elland Roberts in the rotation and help stabilize this group in Pittsburgh.
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo could use some depth at the linebacker position. That’s because this defense has battled several key injuries this season, including Matt Milano. Not to mention the Bills lost Tremaine Edmunds in free agency last season, so Leonard has a hole to fill. Tyrell Dodson and Terrell Bernard were starting linebackers, and Leonard could be a rotation option the Bills could target if they clear waivers. Philadelphia Eagles
If Leonard wants to make a legitimate contribution to a Super Bowl contender, the Eagles would be a good landing spot if he becomes a free agent. Philly will lean on Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow as the linebacker duo after Nakobe was placed on injured reserve due to an injury to Dean Lisfranc. Leonard would be a nice addition to Cunningham and Morrow to help solidify this group in the postseason. It’s also worth noting that he knows head coach Nick Sirianni, who was the Colts’ offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2020 and has seen firsthand what Leonard can do when he’s firing on all cylinders. the chicago bears
If Leonard clears waivers and is looking for a team to make a deep playoff run, the Bears might not fit the bill. However, there is a connection with Chicago coach Matt Eberflus. He was Leonard’s defensive coordinator in Indy when he first entered the league in 2018 and during his most productive year in the league. If Leonard wants to bring back that magic, Chicago makes sense.
