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Linebacker Shaquille Leonard passed on joining the Dallas Cowboys by instead signing with their rivals the Philadelphia Eagles.
While speaking to reporters before his first practice with the Eagles on Wednesday, December 6, Leonard explained why he decided to sign with Philadelphia over Dallas.
“Nick [Sirianni] and I were together in Indy, Nick is a great coach, great competitor,” Leonard said, according to Josh Tolentino of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “I wanted to go somewhere that fit me, to a coach who knew who I was as a person and as a player.”
Shaq Leonard Spent 3 Years With Nick Sirianni in Indianapolis
Leonard joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2018, when Sirianni was hired as offensive coordinator. Sirianni would spend the next three seasons in Indianapolis as Leonard established himself as one of the top defensive players in the league. During that time, Leonard was named to three consecutive Pro Bowls, three All-Pro selections and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
In addition to his accolades, Leonard also led the the NFL in tackles during his rookie season and notched 15 sacks, 7 interceptions and 9 forced fumbles with 4 fumble recoveries during his first three seasons.
Leonard became known as one of the top playmaking defensive players in the league. However, the frequency with which he produced that same type of splash plays in Indianapolis declined in 2022 and 2023, leading to an unhappy player and his eventual release.
The 28-year-old linebacker spoke to Eagles reporters regarding his sudden release from Indianapolis a couple of weeks earlier.
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“Of course I was stunned,” Leonard said, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. “But this is a business, and I respect their decision to move forward. I wish them nothing but the best. Of course, it’s not just proving to Indy that I can still play. I want to prove to myself that I still can play.”
Jerry Jones Comments on Shaq Leonard’s Decision
As the Cowboys prepare to host the Eagles in a big-time Week 14 matchup, team owner Jerry Jones addressed Leonard’s decision to sign with Philadelphia.
“We very easily could see him out here against us Sunday,” Jones said Tuesday, December 5, on 105.3 The Fan. “I just have to almost step back when I think about, man, these are the times we’re in when a player like that could be available and pick his team — which he can and does — and be on the field within three or four days. It’s just a unique period of time. Not in any way — if I sound like I’m complaining, I’m not — but that’s just unique to me to think he can hit the ground running and be out there playing against us Sunday.”
Leonard visited with the Cowboys on November 28 before visiting with the Eagles.
Jones stressed that the financial aspect was not a factor in Leonard’s decision to sign with Philadelphia.
“There was absolutely never any money mentioned, I met with him, had lunch with him and had a good visit with him, but there was never a financial issue at all,” Jones said. “So, that wasn’t the case in any way, he apparently wanted to go where he thought he had the best chance.
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