Jerry Jones reveals primary factor in potential deal with former Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard

The Dallas Cowboys are meeting with former Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard on Tuesday with the hopes of working out a potential deal with the new free agent. Team owner Jerry Jones will personally meet with Leonard for lunch but before he does, the general manager joined 105.3 The Fan to discuss the factors the team must weigh before inking anything.

With plenty of tape already watched, the Cowboys’ main concern is with the sixth-year player’s health. Leonard underwent multiple back surgeries in the span of four months in 2022. Although he’s bounced back from injury, his playing time significantly decreased.

“It’s not real hard to look and see what kind of player he’s been,” Jones said, via Michael Gehlkin. “He’s been outstanding during his career. We’ll want to check his health, see where he is, see where his current, current [health] — right now, this year, for the rest of the year. We’ll look at that, and that’s what he’s doing right now as we’re speaking.”

“Where he is healthwise is what it’s all about as far as evaluating anything,” Jones added.

Eagles also courting Leonard

The Cowboys aren’t the only team considering making an addition with Leonard to their linebacker group. First-place Philadelphia is also planning a visit with the former All-Pro later this week.

Considering the Colts are on the hook for a large portion of Leonard’s salary, Jones noted that competition with other teams for his services “probably does not have a financial aspect to it.”

The team owner couldn’t tell the radio hosts whether the Cowboys would get Leonard under contract today to stop him from further courtship from other teams. However, he believes Dallas has a “pretty attractive” situation for the veteran linebacker.

“We’ve got a pretty attractive situation for any player because not only of the way we’re playing but also the aura of the Cowboys and our fan base and this area,” Jones said.

If Leonard is fully healthy, 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.