Ex-Eagle Gives Somber Comments on Lack of FA Interest

The Philadelphia Eagles' revamped roster is currently gearing up for the start of training camp and the 2024 season. There's several new arrivals fans are excited to see officially in action as Week 1 draws closer.

However, roster additions also mean subtractions, and there's a number of players from the 2023 squad who were forced to move on this offseason.

Linebacker Shaq Leonard is one of the contributors who wasn't retained, and he recently opened up about his rough time in free agency.

Leonard, a former Colts star, was in Indianapolis over the weekend for an event hosted by his foundation. He told Kyle Smedley of the Indy Star that "I think throughout my career I've had a great career, even if I do step away from it." He added, "If [a signing] happens, it happens. If it don't, it don't."

These comments unfortunately reflect the shocking turn Leonard's career has taken. He looked like an all-time great in the making after a prolific start to his tenure with the Colts, which included First or Second Team All-Pro nods in each of his first four NFL seasons.

Injuries then got ahold of the dominant pass-rusher, however, leading to Indy cutting ties with its former second-round pick. That cleared the way for him to land in Philly, and there was hope he'd be able to rebound following a change of scenery.

Yet, Leonard looked exactly like a player who'd lost a few steps after major health struggles, leading to an unremarkable five-game run with the Eagles that ended with a DNP in the Wild Card round.

At the very least, Leonard seems prepared for the possibility his time has come. If he does walk away, he should do so with his head held high, even if he'll be remembered as one of the biggest "what ifs?" in recent memory.

In other Eagles news: