Shaquille Leonard has gone from free agency to the midst of an NFC East championship race. After visiting both the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles the week before, Leonard decided to sign with the Philly team on Monday. Now, he could make his Eagles debut against the Cowboys on Sunday. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones views it as a “unique” situation, but he wishes the three-time All-Pro linebacker who got away all the best. “We very easily could see him out here against us Sunday,” Jones said on Tuesday in his weekly spot 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
Leonard has quickly gone from a potential Cowboys addition to a possible Cowboys opponent — and for the hated Eagles, no less.
Although the reason Leonard selected the Eagles is unknown, Jones shared his opinion.
“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 stated. That was untrue in the slightest; he seemed to have desired to go to the location where he believed he had the best chance. I respect and acknowledge his choice there, for sure. The confidence we have in our linebackers has never been a problem for us.”
The 28-year-old Leonard was unexpectedly released by the Indianapolis Colts on November 21. After clearing waivers a day later, he soon started traveling to
The Eagles were destroyed by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, while the Cowboys defeated the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night. In spite of the loss, or maybe precisely because of it, Leonard signed with Philadelphia.
The 49ers forced the Eagles to give up 146 rushing yards, and even though Leonard may not have been at his best recently, he is still a strong opponent in the ground game.
A few years ago, Leonard was thought to be the best or second-best off-ball back in the league behind Fred Warner of the Niners. However, injuries have destroyed Leonard, but his talent and résumé brought two of the best teams in the NFL to inquire about him.
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