Colts Unexpectedly Cut Star Defender
One of the team’s most decorated defenders in franchise history was waived by the Indianapolis Colts.
Star linebacker Shaquille Leonard was unexpectedly dismissed by the Indianapolis Colts.
The stunning decision was revealed by the 28-year-old on X on Tuesday afternoon, capping up a period in which Leonard had been vocal lately over his position on the team.
Shortly after the move was announced, Colts owner Jim Irsay also released a statement on X:
Leonard’s career started out in spectacular fashion, earning him NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018 as well as four Pro Bowl and four All-Pro nods, as well as a huge five-year, $98 million contract extension just before the 2021 season.
His body of work was unparalleled, stuffing the stat sheet with tackles, stuffs, sacks, interceptions, and just about anything else he could do. However, injuries began mounting and soon derailed his progress.
During the 2022 offseason, he underwent a procedure on his back that kept him out up into the early chunk of the season. He was ultimately held to just three games and had another back procedure that ended his season prematurely.
Leonard came back this summer and was ready to go from the jump in training camp but has yet to look like his old self on film through the first 11 weeks of the season. His range, athleticism, ferocity, and playmaking have all been absent. It led to the Colts reducing his role, as he’s played just 69.7% of the defense’s snaps in 2023.
With his performance dipping, Leonard’s price tag became a big question for onlookers.
OverTheCap claims that Leonard still owes roughly $6.1 million for the balance of this season, and that he was guaranteed a guaranteed $15.7 million in 2023. The last three years of his deal have no guaranteed money, although he still has $19.7 million in dead cap for 2023 and $8 million in total dead cap for 2024 and 2025.
