Should the Browns look into signing All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard?
It’s not often that a former All-Pro hits free agency in Week 12 of the NFL season, but that’s the case in 2023. The Indianapolis Colts released LB Shaquille Leonard on Tuesday and he’s expected to clear waivers and become a free agent. So, of course, many fan bases immediately went to the idea that […]
It’s not often that a former All-Pro hits free agency in Week 12 of the NFL season, but that’s the case in 2023.
The Indianapolis Colts released LB Shaquille Leonard on Tuesday and he’s expected to clear waivers and become a free agent. So, of course, many fan bases immediately went to the idea that their team should sign him. It is important to know that Leonard is just a shell of his former self and you’re not getting the All-Pro player that he once was.
Cleveland folks were some that immediately thought of the idea that Leonard could come to play for the Browns. It makes sense on a couple of fronts, though there is no expectation that the Browns are interested, nor is he.
"Leonard has been a shell of his old self since returning from injury. His snap count has taken a big hit this year, and they completely take him off the field for passing down situations because he is unplayable in that area. He's coming off arguably the worst game of his season, quite possibly his career against the Patriots where he looked completely lost on the field and was outplayed by every other LB who touched the field of for the Colts. If a team is able to get him back to his old self he is a home run signing but the likely hood of that at this stage of his career is unlikely,” A to Z Colts beat writer Destin Adams told me.
Anthony Walker Jr. is an important one here
Cleveland’s starting MIKE currently has a hamstring issue that is said to be a ‘week-to-week” injury. He could miss time from 1-3 weeks, depending on how it progresses. Cleveland didn’t put him on the injured reserve, so it’s not looked at as a long-term thing. With Walker out, could his old friend provide some depth?
Walker and Leonard shared the field together for a few seasons in Indianapolis and are notably friends. Leonard was not happy to see Walker go when the Browns signed him as a free agent before the 2021 season.
With Walker out for a bit, Cleveland is going to start Sione Takitaki and that should be the move. He’s developed into being a capable guy in the middle of the defense and the green dot went to him when Walker exited, so the Browns trust him.
But behind Takitaki, Leonard couple provide some veteran depth and it wouldn’t be as to get him on the field for a limited number of snaps a game. The competitor in Leonard may want to go somewhere he thinks he can start and there’s nothing wrong with that.
The Browns’ defense is attractive to play for
Cleveland boasts the top defense in the league and any player that could join it will likely reap the benefits. The NFL’s top defensive line has given the linebacker room a huge help this season after playing poorly the last few. That and Jim Schwartz implementing his system were huge. It didn’t hurt that Cleveland overhauled half of their defense nearly, either.
Undoubtedly, some guys are playing well on this defense in large part due to what is around them. Some players help the jobs of others be much easier and perhaps that’s what could happen with Leonard.
A playoff team is in Cleveland
Everyone wants to reach the playoffs in the NFL, the goal is to reach the Super Bowl every season. Leonard likely wasn’t going to reach the playoffs in Indianapolis this season and it makes sense for him to sign with a competing team.
Cleveland is in this vein and would be even more so if Deshaun Watson was not hurt. Still, the Browns are firmly in a spot where they’ll be in the playoffs unless a big collapse happens.
If it’s a team that’s heading for the playoffs that Leonard wants to play for, that eliminates half the league right there.
Conclusion
Leonard isn’t what he wince was but there is still value to be had there. His $6 million cap hit and big cap numbers going forward make him a player that no one should be claiming. Cleveland is fine with what they have even with Walker out a bit, but it is still a move you do your due diligence on.
Good general managers always do their due diligence and Andrew Berry has often said that. Expect the Browns to at least sniff around the idea, but there’s no reason to believe there’s any smoke there at this time.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson takes huge step in his process to getting back on the field
Now it is time for the Browns starter to recover and rehab.
