3 best landing spots for LB Shaquille Leonard
The Indianapolis Colts shocked the rest of the NFL to begin Week 12 of the NFL season. After they decided to waive former All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard. While it seems Leonard's best playing days are behind him, he now will have the opportunity to sign with any team in the NFL after he clears waivers […]
The Indianapolis Colts shocked the rest of the NFL to begin Week 12 of the NFL season.
After they decided to waive former All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard.
While it seems Leonard's best playing days are behind him, he now will have the opportunity to sign with any team in the NFL after he clears waivers (assuming he is not claimed). Below are the top three teams that I believe make the most sense to be Leonard's next stop in the NFL.
- Chicago Bears:
The most obvious landing spot for Leonard is with the Chicago Bears. Leonard's best years in the NFL came with now-Bears head coach Matt Eberflus as his defensive coordinator. If Leonard wanted to land with a familiar face and in a scheme that highlighted his strengths as a player, his first call would likely be to Eberflus and the Bears. The Bears have a solid LB trio of Tremaine Edmunds, Jack Sanborn, and T.J. Edwards, though, which could deter Leonard, who made it very clear during his final weeks with the Colts that he wants to be on the field.
- Detroit Lions:
The first contender that comes to mind is the Detroit Lions. Leonard shares a similar mindset and tenacity that Dan Cambpbell's football team has made their identity on. Leonard would be a tremendous locker room addition for a fairly young defense with little experience in the LB room. The Lions believe for good reason that they are a true Super Bowl contender, and at 8-2, they have backed it up. If they can even get a fraction of the player Leonard used to be, this could be a home run for both sides.
- Philadelphia Eagles
When a former All-Pro becomes available, it only makes since for the Philadelphia Eagles to be interested. Eagles GM Howie Roseman always looks for ways to improve one of the better rosters in the entire NFL. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is familiar with Leonard's impact on a defense and the locker room during his time as the Colts offensive coordinator. The Eagles wouldn't need a "game-changing" level impact from Leonard, which would likely allow him to play to his strengths and have a more free-flowing role than he had with the Colts this season. This would be music to Leonard's ears, on top of being able to compete for a Super Bowl this season and on with one of the best teams in the NFL.