Eagles Sign Free Agent Linebacker Shaq Leonard
The Shaq Leonard sweepstakes are over, and the Eagles are the winner. Leonard was waived before week 12 by the Colts, and eventually cleared waivers. Last week he met with both the Cowboys and the Eagles, and we heard he would make his choice after the week 13 games. And now he has made his choice, and he is signing with the Eagles. Ian Rapoport was the first to report the news.
Shaq Leonard was previously an All-Pro Linebacker. But he has not been that same player since undergoing back surgery. Hence why the Colts waived him to begin with. But his reputation is that of a great linebacker.
And the Eagles could certainly use some help at LB. Even before some injuries, LB was a weak area for them. But now that Nakobe Dean is out for the season, and Zach Cunningham is nursing a hamstring injury, they really need help. That was on full display against the Niners where Nicholas Morrow got picked on all day by Brock Purdy.
Will Shaq Leonard be enough to fix those issues? We will find out. It is not good to be so reliant on a guy who was just cut by another team. But that is where the Eagles find themselves. At the very least Leonard is a smart player with a history of good play. He would not be the first player to get a boost from a change in scenery late in his career, and he has a good history with Nick Sirianni.
Leonard has already passed his physical and will be free to play on Sunday night when the Eagles face the Cowboys. The Cowboys were the other team chasing after him, with their LB Leighton Vander Esch out for the season.
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Philadelphia Eagles Projected 2023 Week 14 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 2021Quez Watkins
Wide Receiver, #16
Southern Miss
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (200th overall) in 2020Dallas Goedert
Tight End, #88
South Dakota St.
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018Jordan 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 2018Fletcher Cox
Defensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012Jordan Davis
Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022Haason 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)Shaquille Leonard
Linebacker, #50
South Carolina St.
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (December 2023)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)
