The Real Holdup On Shaq Leonard Signing With The Eagles
Adam Schefter made his weekly appearance on The John Kincade Show on Wednesday at 8am. He discussed Jalen Hurts, the ESPN football power index, and the chances that the Philadelphia…
Adam Schefter made his weekly appearance on The John Kincade Show on Wednesday at 8am. He discussed Jalen Hurts, the ESPN football power index, and the chances that the Philadelphia Eagles will sign Shaq Leonard.
Shaq Leonard: A Fit With The Eagles?
The Indianapolis Colts waived Leonard last week. Both the Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys have interest in signing the 28-year-old linebacker.
The fit in Philadelphia seems like common sense. The Eagles are thin at linebacker with Nakobe Dean on injured reserve and Zach Cunningham unlikely to play against the San Francisco 49ers with a hamstring injury.
A high-profile free agent like Leonard usually weighs his options based on major factors like the money offered and the chances teams have to contend for a Super Bowl. He might even be orchestrating a bidding war. Players tend to use all available leverage with two teams from the same division.
However, Schefter mentioned another important reason why Leonard hasn’t signed with an NFL team.
Leonard has dealt with neck injuries in recent seasons, and it’s at least part of the reason his production has decreased. He's only played 12 games since the beginning of 2022.
Dallas has dealt with repeated neck injuries to linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, and the Eagles or any other interested team would also need to know they’re signing a healthy player.
“He’s a three-time All-Pro linebacker, so I get the excitement level, right? This guy was at one point as good of a defensive player as there was, but he hasn’t played at that level in recent years. He had been beat out for his job in Indianapolis by a couple of other guys. I just think we’re all reacting like it’s 2020, 2021 Shaq Leonard when it’s 2023.” -Adam Schefter
Nicholas Morrow and Christian Elliss are the only two linebackers on Philadelphia’s 53-man roster. While the Eagles could clearly use the help, they need to make sure they’re investing wisely in any player they sign.
Schefter Lauds Jalen Hurts
The NFL's best insider also lauded the Eagles as an “unbelievably clutch, resilient, resourceful” team for making it to 10-1 with so many close wins. His comparison of Jalen Hurts to the best football player in history was the most memorable.
“I feel like Jalen Hurts is going to will them to win every time…It feels like a modern day, 2023 version of Tom Brady where he’s going to put the team on his shoulders, and whether he has to throw, run, whatever, they’re going to get it done and find a way.” -Schefter
Watch the full interview below.
Watch The John Kincade Show on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on weekday mornings from 6am-10am.
The Philadelphia Eagles pulled off an incredible overtime win in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL season. They own the best record in the NFL at 10-1 after the thriller against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
They have suffered a few recent injuries to key players, especially along the offensive and defensive lines. Will Lane Johnson, Fletcher Cox, Milton Williams, and Zach Cunningham return for the Eagles as Week 13 starters?
Eagles Pull Off Miracle Against Bills
The Bills took a 10-point lead into halftime, and the Eagles were fortunate that the deficit wasn't worse. It looked eerily similar to the Super Bowl LVII rematch on Monday Night Football six days before. However, the result was the same. The Eagles pulled off yet another double-digit comeback.
Jalen Hurts played poorly in the first half. He shook off the struggles and led four touchdown drives after halftime, the last coming in overtime. The Philadelphia defense held Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs scoreless on six second half possessions.
Nick Sirianni has improved to 33-12 as a head coach in NFL regular-season games. The Eagles are 24-2 in games started by Jalen Hurts since the beginning of the 2022 season.
The San Francisco 49ers loom for an NFC Championship Game rematch at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 13.
Projected Philadelphia Eagles Week 13 Starters
The Eagles have leaned on strength in the trenches in the most recent era of franchise history. Two of their foundational pieces didn't finish the game against the Bills. Lane Johnson missed the game with groin soreness, and Fletcher Cox also left the game with a groin injury.
Dallas Goedert and Nakobe Dean will likely remain out with injuries in Week 13. Jack Stoll started at tight end in Weeks 11 and 12, and he'll likely fill in against the 49ers once again. Cunningham has been the best linebacker on the team in 2023. He left the game with a hamstring injury and didn't return.
Nicholas Morrow has played an elevated role, and Christian Elliss also stepped into the regular rotation as a linebacker. The Eagles will get an update on Milton Williams, who missed the game against Buffalo with a concussion.
With arguably the toughest opponent on the schedule ahead, Nick Sirianni needs good news about some of his best players heading into Week 13.
Offense
Jalen Hurts
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesQuarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020
D'Andre Swift
Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty ImagesRunning Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)
A.J. Brown
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)
DeVonta Smith
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021
Julio Jones
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #80
University of Alabama
13th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)
Jack Stoll
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty ImagesTight End, #89
University of Nebraska
3rd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2021)
Jordan Mailata
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLeft Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018
Landon Dickerson
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLeft Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021
Jason Kelce
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesCenter, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011
Cam Jurgens
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesRight Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022
Lane Johnson
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesLeft Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013
Defense
Josh Sweat
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesDefensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018
Jordan Davis
Photo by Norm Hall/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022
Jalen Carter
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #98
University of Georgia
1st NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (9th overall) in 2023
Haason Reddick
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesEdge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)
Nicholas Morrow
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLinebacker, #41
Greensville University
6th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)
Christian Elliss
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesLinebacker, #53
University of Idaho
3rd NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (September 2021)
Darius Slay
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesCornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)
James Bradberry
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesCornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)
Bradley Roby
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesCornerback, #33
Ohio State University
10th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)
Kevin Byard
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesSafety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)
Reed Blankenship
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesSafety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
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