6 Eagles on Thin Ice Heading Into the Playoffs
By Randy Gurzi
4. Shaq Leonard, Linebacker
When the Indianapolis Colts decided to give up on Shaq Leonard, there were two teams that rolled out the red carpet for the former Pro Bowl linebacker — and both were in the NFC East. Leonard, who wanted to play for a contender, visited the Dallas Cowboys first and then headed east to see what the Philadelphia Eagles had to offer.
In the end, he signed with the Eagles after he was impressed by their culture. He showed up all smiles and was expected to help turn around a struggling defense.
Leonard finished the regular season by playing in five games and made three starts. He had 23 tackles and a sack but it was clear he wasn't the same player we once saw in Indy. Leonard, who has had previous back surgeries, struggled with speed and even drew the ire of fans as the season went along.
7) I really do not want to pick on individuals but look at Shaq Leonard here. It's rough to watch. Jalen Carter had a horrible game in run defense too and he's moved way too easily here. The Eagles were physically dominated upfront. pic.twitter.com/h8Fd4qaMc5
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) January 2, 2024
Linebacker is one of those positions where a player can go from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the basement in the blink of an eye. Perhaps it's due to the way they punish their bodies by constantly hitting the ball carrier but we've seen it with guys like Myles Jack and Deion Jones in recent years.
For Leonard, that might also be the case. He was once an elite playmaker but now he's having a hard time just making the routine stops. Unless he turns it around, he probably won't be back in Philly next year — and it could be hard to find a landing spot elsewhere either.