


The Eagles are moving quickly to try and ensure Sunday night doesn’t happen again.
After dropping a shocking 42-19 loss to the 49ers on Sunday — a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship game — Philadelphia signed free agent linebacker Shaq Leonard on Monday, adding a key piece for another potential playoff run.
The 28-year-old former All-Pro was surprisingly released by the Colts on Nov. 21 after starting nine games this season.
“It was the biggest surprise ever,” Leonard said at his turkey giveaway, hours after the Colts announced his release. “But I don’t make those decisions. It was shocking.”
He now joins a Philadelphia defense that was shocked itself on Sunday night, giving up 456 yards of offense and allowing San Francisco to convert eight of 11 third-down attempts on national TV.
For all their star power, Philadelphia, atop the NFC at 10-2, is short on depth at linebacker, and if Leonard is healthy, he will massively upgrade a unit that features Nicholas Morrow and Zach Cunningham.
The 2018 AP Defensive Player of the Year as a rookie, Leonard has been slowed by injuries in recent seasons and underwent back surgery ahead of the 2022 season.
He struggled to return to his high level of play and grew frustrated at his role with a new Colts coaching staff.
“It sucks that you’re already not playing on third (down), and then you’re taking down the reps on first and second,” Leonard said on Nov., according to the Indy Star.
“It’s very heartbreaking to hear that but it is what it is. I just got to continue to get better, continue to play hard, continue to be the best guy I can for this team and for this defense.”

Now, he has the chance to be a key contributor to a team with serious Super Bowl hopes.