The Minnesota Vikings are exploring all options that can give them momentum late in the regular season, including signing All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard.
The Athletic’s Diana Russini on Thursday, Nov.
23, is one of a trio of NFC playoff candidates considering signing the three-time All-Pro who was released by the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday.It was reported that the Vikings were included in the list.
“Leonard spent his final few seasons in Indy after signing a five-year, $98.
25 million contract extension in 2021, before being hampered by injuries.
Currently playing for the Eagles, Cowboys and Vikings.
Other teams that are still in the running are “gathering information” about him,” Russini wrote.
“League officials said Leonard will take his time to make a decision.
” Multiple teams are considering signing Shaq Leonard, including the Cowboys, Eagles and Vikings.
I hear Leonard will take time to decide where he wants to play.
Here are the details of my internal memo: https: //t.co/5pokrklzaa — Dianna Russini (@dmrussini) November 23, 2023 Shaquille Leonard’s failure with the Colts.
Shaquille Leonard was plagued by injuries during his time with the Colts.
Leonard, the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018, set the franchise’s single-season sack record this season.
An instinctive tackler and sophomore pass rusher, he earned three All-Pro honors in his first four years in the league.
He recorded 15.
0 sacks and 26 tackles in his first three seasons.
Leonard started 68 of the 70 games he played in over six seasons with the Colts.
He left Indianapolis with 614 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, 15 sacks, 17 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.
He also recorded 31 pass breakups and 12 interceptions, including a pick-six in 2019.
The Athletic considered Leonard a Hall of Famer until he underwent two back surgeries last season that limited him to just three games.
Since his return, Leonard has played a diminished role in the Colts’ defense.
“This year is different,” Leonard said earlier this month, according to IndyStar.
“Either hit the ball back to Zaire or run the ball into the safety of the goal.
We don’t have as much freedom on defense as we used to.
” I haven’t been given the opportunities that were given to me.
According to Pro Football Focus, Leonard averaged 59.
8 pass rushing snaps per season in 2021.
Under new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, Leonard rushed the passer just nine times in 454 defensive snaps.
Dissatisfaction with Leonard’s commitment and playing time surfaced throughout the season, but he appeared at a charity event just hours after being released by the team.
“At a charity event on Tuesday, Leonard spoke to the media.
The linebacker met with the coaching staff on Monday and was told he would be inactive going forward.
“The team waived him on Tuesday,” he said.
James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
“Leonard is not thinking about his retirement and he wants to continue playing, he said.
He didn’t rule out playing for another team this season.
” Leonard gets a lot of pass-rushing reps in Brian Flores’ defense and ranks high in the NFL Players Association poll.
It will be a fresh start in the Vikings organization that finished last summer in first place in the league.
Vikings look for answers after losing LB Jordan Hicks Getty Vikings team captain and linebacker Jordan Hicks.
Minnesota’s investigation into Leonard makes sense after the Vikings lost veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks to injured reserve last week.
Hicks suffered a foot contusion in Week 10’s game against the New Orleans Saints at the University of Minnesota that developed into a segmental fracture in his right foot.
He underwent surgery and was placed on injured reserve.
