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 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.
Shaq Leonard's decision could be about more than money, according to @AdamSchefter.
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) November 29, 2023
“I don’t think it is going to be about money, I think it is going to be about medicals, and what team feels more comfortable with him and where he feels most comfortable as well.”
(@975JKShow) pic.twitter.com/UZp4FOx4NZ
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.
Philadelphia Eagles Projected 2023 Week 13 Starters
Jalen Hurts
Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020D'Andre Swift
Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)A.J. Brown
Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)DeVonta Smith
Wide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021Julio Jones
Wide Receiver, #80
University of Alabama
13th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)Jack Stoll
Tight End, #89
University of Nebraska
3rd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2021)Jordan Mailata
Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018Landon Dickerson
Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021Jason Kelce
Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011Cam Jurgens
Right Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022Lane Johnson
Left Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013Josh Sweat
Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018Jordan Davis
Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022Jalen Carter
Defensive Tackle, #98
University of Georgia
1st NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (9th overall) in 2023Haason Reddick
Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)Nicholas Morrow
Linebacker, #41
Greensville University
6th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)Christian Elliss
Linebacker, #53
University of Idaho
3rd NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (September 2021)Darius Slay
Cornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)James Bradberry
Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)Bradley Roby
Cornerback, #33
Ohio State University
10th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)Kevin Byard
Safety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)Reed Blankenship
Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
