Report: Dallas Cowboys to host free agent Shaquille Leonard

The Dallas Cowboys will reportedly host free agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard this week following his release from the Indianapolis Colts, according to Dallas Morning News‘ Calvin Watkins. Team owner Jerry Jones indicated last week that there was interest in Leonard, and head coach Mike McCarthy concurred on Sunday, but the news of a visit is a more solid development. The visit will be on Tuesday, according to Tom Pelissero.

“I don’t have anything to report on Shaq, but yes, definitely, there’s interest,” McCarthy said on Sunday.

Leonard was released by the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday in the midst of his sixth season with the team, now leaving room for the decorated linebacker to potentially have a major impact on whichever team he joins.

Jones is keeping his cards close regarding potentially signing Leonard saying, “I don’t want to imply one way or the other with Leonard.” But there’s no question that having him play beside another former NFL All-Pro like Micah Parsons and the new single-season record holder for interceptions returned for touchdowns in DaRon Bland would take Dallas’ already elite defense to another level.

The Colts selected the standout out of South Carolina State with the No. 36 overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Leonard led the entire NFL in tackles with a career-high 163 tackles adding seven sacks, two interceptions, and four forced fumbles to his stat line.

He earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018 and First-Team All-Pro honors, which he’d go on to achieve two more times in his career along with a Second-Team selection and three Pro Bowl appearances.

Colts part ways with Shaq Leonard

Leonard was waived following frustrations with the team regarding his playing time, with Pro Football Reference revealing that he only played in 70% of the team’s defensive snaps when active this season. This year for Indianapolis he recorded 65 tackles in his nine-game appearances.

“Indy, I want to thank you for accepting me and my family with open arms,” Leonard wrote in his farewell message. “These past six years has been nothing but incredible! Through the good times and bad time y’all stood by my side. I apologize for not bringing that trophy back to the 317. The energy at Lucas Oil has been nothing but amazing and I thank you for every memory. I’m thankful to play for such an amazing fan base. I love you guys and wish the Colts nothing but the best!” 

NFL insider Tom Pelissero believes it is unlikely a deal works out between Dallas and the edge rusher. According to Pelissero, Leonard’s $15.7 million guaranteed base salary, with $6.1M owed for the rest of this season and another $6.5M guaranteed for injury in 2024, could be a deal breaker. Especially with Markquese Bell and Damone Clark playing well. However, if an injury to the LB group becomes the reason the Cowboys fail to make a deep postseason run, Jerry Jones will probably regret it.

On3’s Kaiden Smith contributed to this report.