Eagles Sign Three-time All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard

Help is on the way in a place where the Eagles really need it.

The Eagles announced Monday that they will sign three-time All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard to bolster what has been the weakest position on the roster.

The 28-year-old Leonard may not be the player he once was in his Indianapolis heyday, but the veteran should be able to help the Eagles’ defense for the remainder of the 2023 season. Leonard is just the latest experienced signing this season, joining Kevin Byard, Bradley Roby and Julio Jones.

The Eagles began this season with Nakobe Dean and Zach Cunningham at starting linebacker. But Dean missed most of the season and is back on the IR after foot surgery. And Cunningham suffered a hamstring injury against the Bills and missed the 49ers game. Against the 49ers, the Eagles started Nicholas Morrow and Christian Elliss and things didn’t go well. The 49ers both attacked early and often.

If it wasn’t clear before the 49ers game, it became clear during the 42-19 loss: the Eagles needed outside help. Luckily, Leonard chose to sign with the Eagles instead of the rival Dallas Cowboys.

The Eagles play the Cowboys this week on Sunday Night Football in North Texas.

After visiting the Cowboys early last week, Leonard visited the NovaCare Complex on Wednesday. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni knows Leonard well from their time together in Indianapolis. Last Wednesday, Leonard met with Sirianni in the morning and several other coaches in the early afternoon.

What was Sirianni’s pitch to Leonard?

“All I’ll ever do is be honest with him and tell him what the situation is here, what the situation is in this building,” Sirianni said. “I think the pitch is just the people we have in this building and he has a previous relationship with some of them as well. I want Shaq to make the decision that is best for him. Because again, if there’s a previous relationship, you want to make sure – and this is what I said to him: “I just want you to make the best decision for yourself.” Take all the information from both places and do whatever is best for you.”

“So, I have called him many times in the last few days and he will make the decision that is best for him. I’m confident about that. He is a good man.”

Leonard was recently released by the Colts after breaking their pecking order. After clearing waivers, he was able to sign with any team in the NFL. He ultimately decided to join the Eagles.

Sirianni was the offensive coordinator in Indianapolis for the first three seasons of Leonard’s career. And after Sirianni bombed his opening 2021 press conference in Philly, Leonard took to social media to defend him.

What does Sirianni remember about Leonard from their time together?

“Yeah, he certainly made a lot of plays,” Sirianni said last week. “He had a knack for the football and how to get it. What I remember is how hard it was to throw him around as an offensive coordinator. His length was comparable to Jim Boeheim’s 2-3 zone at Syracuse. He will play in the fast lane.

“He was a great teammate and I really enjoyed being with him. I still have a relationship with him. I think he’s a great person, a great teammate, and like I said, the main thing that comes to mind is the ball and the length.”

From 2018 to 2021, Leonard was one of the best overall linebackers and defensive players in the NFL. During those four years, Leonard had 15 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, 12 interceptions, 31 pass breakups, 32 tackles for loss and 343 solo tackles. During that time, he was a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro.

But Leonard was only able to take part in three games in 2022 due to injury. Leonard had back surgery in the offseason, suffered a concussion in the season opener and then reinjured his back. In 2023, Leonard no longer looked like the All-Pro version and his playing time began to dwindle.

While it would be unfair to expect Leonard to return to his All-Pro peak, he should at least help at a position where the Eagles desperately need it.