Insider says the Eagles may choose a former $31 million star over Shaq Leonard.
The Philadelphia Eagles are rumored to be interested in former Pro Bowlers Shaq Leonard and Zach Ertz. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Eagles may be a better fit for Ertz than Leonard. The Dallas Cowboys have been heavily linked to Leonard as well.
“We’re seeing a mini NFC East go head-to-head with a few free agents this week,” Fowler wrote in a December 2, 2023 article headlined “NFL Week 13 predictions, fantasy sleepers, key stats, buzz.” “Both the Eagles and the Cowboys are vying for linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who will likely choose between the two teams this weekend.”
“According to a few scouts I spoke with, Dallas is the best fit because he can step into the Leighton Vander Esch role.” And the Eagles are expected to be involved in a Zach Ertz reunion. After losing Mark Andrews to injury, Baltimore could be a team to keep an eye on.”
Leonard visited Dallas and Philadelphia, and the three-time Pro Bowler is expected to make a choice soon. The Cardinals released Ertz, who is now a free agent.
The Cardinals previously signed the veteran tight end to a three-year, $31.6 million contract. For the rest of the season, Ertz is anticipated to sign a much more team-friendly contract.
“According to a few scouts I spoke with, Dallas is the best fit because he can step into the Leighton Vander Esch role.” And the Eagles are expected to be involved in a Zach Ertz reunion. After losing Mark Andrews to injury, Baltimore could be a team to keep an eye on.”
Leonard visited Dallas and Philadelphia, and the three-time Pro Bowler is expected to make a choice soon. The Cardinals released Ertz, who is now a free agent.
The Cardinals previously signed the veteran tight end to a three-year, $31.6 million contract. For the rest of the season, Ertz is anticipated to sign a much more team-friendly contract.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter writes that both players are likely to make a decision “in the next 48 or so hours” before the Week 13 Sunday games. According to Eagles rumors, the Bills, Chiefs, and Ravens are all interested in Ertz.
“Two decorated players face key free-agent decisions.” Both former Colts’ LB Shaquille Leonard and former Cardinals’ TE Zach Ertz are free agents, and both are expected to find new homes over the next 48 hours, according to sources,” Schefter wrote on X on December
“According to sources, Leonard is considering the Cowboys and Eagles, and whoever doesn’t get him may have to face him next Sunday, with Philadelphia playing at Dallas.” The Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, and Eagles have all showed interest in Ertz in differing degrees.”
Ertz was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, and he spent his first nine seasons in Philadelphia. This season, Ertz had 27 receptions for 187 yards and a score in seven starts for the Cardinals. Signing Ertz would provide the Eagles insurance behind Dallas Goedert, who is out with a forearm injury.
Leonard has remained silent on his impending decision since his two free agent visits. According to Audacy’s NFL expert Brian Baldinger, Leonard is “leaning” toward signing with the Cowboys over the Eagles.
“I hear he’s leaning toward the Cowboys,” Baldinger said in a November 30 interview on 105.3 The Fan’s “GBag Nation.” “I know Eagles players who are aggressively recruiting him.” They require him. Last week, they lost Zach Cunningham. All year, they’ve been losing linebackers.
“I’m hearing he’s leaning toward the Cowboys at this point.” He’s a little reserved about this. (He) wishes to make the best decision possible.
For Heavy.com, Jonathan Adams focuses on the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Los Angeles Lakers. His work has appeared on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, and Sports Illustrated, among others. More information on Jonathan Adams
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DECEMBER 3: According to Russini, Leonard passed his physicals with the Eagles and Cowboys and will inform both teams of his decision after the Eagles’ game versus the 49ers today (subscription required). Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes that Leonard will sign “within the next 48 hours or so.”
NOVEMBER 29: Leonard’s visit to the Eagles has concluded, according to McLane. During the visit, the free agent linebacker underwent a physical, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports that the wait is on. Leonard will consider his choices over the following few days. There are no other meetings planned.
nOVEMBER 28: Shaquille Leonard’s alleged Eagles meeting will take place. According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, the accomplished linebacker has finished his Cowboys visit and will meet with the Eagles before making a choice.
Schultz and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini describe the Cowboys’ visit as “successful,” and Leonard is anticipated to make a choice by the weekend. Even after failing to strike a deal with Leonard, the Cowboys remain in the running, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Other visits are possible, according to Fowler, but for the time being, a Cowboys-Eagles game is taking place. Both Super Bowl contenders have been linked to Leonard since his Colts release, despite each pursuing LB help prior to the trade deadline.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, the Leonard-Eagles meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, and the team will likely put the free agency linebacker through a workout and physical. Leonard has been plagued by injuries over the last three seasons, knocking him out of the elite tier of off-ball defenders. Leonard has a strong Eagles connection; Nick Sirianni was the OC in Indianapolis from 2 to 4.
Leonard, 28, seeing other clubs would push back his timeline, but NFL.com’s Jane Slater reports he plans to visit “a couple” more teams after departing Dallas. A decision made this weekend, on the other hand, might put the sixth-year veteran on schedule to make his debut for his new team by Week 14. However, it would be acceptable if the Cowboys or Eagles — or a surprise finalist — wanted to extend the ramp-up phase due to the late arrival.
The Vikings and Broncos have also been reported as potential bidders, but with neither team securing a meeting, it might be an all-NFC East fight for the four-time All-Pro. Anthony Barr, who has had a gameday elevation in each of the last two weeks, just returned to Minnesota. This summer, the Broncos re-signed Alex Singleton, maintaining a two-year ILB combo with Josey Jewell.
The Eagles have the best record in the NFL, and with the Lions losing on Thanksgiving, Philadelphia is the only one- or two-loss team in the league. Despite the defending NFC champs’ conference lead, they have struggled with linebacker issues for much of the season. Nakobe Dean has two foot problems that have sent him on the injured reserve list. The Eagles can activate the second-year linebacker off injured reserve for a second time, but Dean remains off the 53-man roster heading into a vital game against the 49ers. Zach Cunningham has also suffered an injury, succumbing to a hamstring strain during Philadelphia’s overtime victory over Buffalo.
As a result, Nicholas Morrow is the Eagles’ only healthy linebacker. The Eagles hoped to make Dean the focal point of a low-cost linebacking corps by letting T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White depart in free agency. That plan has been derailed due to foot injuries. During training camp, the squad brought in Cunningham and Myles Jack, but the latter retired after a few days of practice. Cunningham, who was released by the Titans in February, has been a consistent starter this season. However, he was placed on injured reserve twice during his final season at Tennessee.
Leonard’s five-year, $98.5MM agreement with the Colts before the 2021 season will not be worth anything. Two back operations in 2022 altered his Colts destiny, as did the advent of Gus Bradley as head coach. With a few teams interested, Leonard is likely to receive a contract that exceeds the prorated veteran minimum. It is unknown whether Odell Beckham Jr. seeks Division I-FCS success, as he was supposed to be pursuing at this point last year when the Cowboys strongly sought him, or whether he wants a temporary gig to better position himself for a free agency push in 2024. Whichever team contracts Leonard now will have exclusive bargaining rights with him until the legal tampering period ends in March.
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