INDIANAPOLIS — Sooner or later after being instructed he was being benched, linebacker Shaquille Leonard obtained the stunning information that he was being waived by the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday.
Leonard, a sixth-year professional and three-time first-team All-Professional choice, mentioned the message hit him arduous.
“It was surprising,” Leonard mentioned Tuesday night as he and teammates distributed 200 Thanksgiving turkeys and sides at a church on the west aspect of Indianapolis. “I requested for a November assembly. I assume I bought a November assembly. I assume you have to watch out what you ask for.”
Leonard and his coaches had been in fixed communication currently about his diminished position within the Colts’ protection. It had been a a lot mentioned topic after he had two again surgical procedures final season to deal with nerve points that had been impacting his decrease physique and limiting his explosiveness.
Leonard’s taking part in time had been inconsistent throughout his restoration, however coaches instructed him they might proceed to revisit the problem because the season progressed. However after an underwhelming efficiency by Leonard within the Colts’ final sport two weeks in the past, his play grew to become much more scrutinized. As a substitute of increasing Leonard’s play time, Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley instructed him he was going to be inactive Sunday towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That standing was prone to stick for the remainder of the season, based on a supply.
Requested what modified between Monday and Tuesday, Leonard mentioned he was not sure, although he left open the chance that his pushback over his restricted position had an affect on the workforce’s choice. He had spoken with reporters on a number of events in latest weeks about his displeasure together with his taking part in time. Leonard had been sidelined on third downs and was splitting reps on some early downs, too.
“You are already not taking part in on third [down], you take the reps on second down, too?” he requested rhetorically two weeks in the past.
On Tuesday, Leonard mentioned, “I all the time say that they are saying [complaints] are OK till you step on toes. I mentioned that two weeks in the past and I nonetheless stand by it. I do not know if that performed a component. Do I feel it performs considerably of a component in it? Sure, as a result of they may see it as a distraction. However I attempted to be respectful with my reply.”
The workforce had lengthy been mulling the best way to proceed with Leonard. Final week, when requested concerning the subsequent steps, one workforce supply instructed ESPN: “We are going to do what’s greatest for the workforce on the finish of the day.”
In actuality, the thought of Leonard standing on the sideline, inactive, for the remainder of the season was troublesome to examine. Whether or not the Colts questioned Leonard’s capability to deal with the demotion stays unclear, however even Leonard admits his robust character might be arduous to deal with.
“All people would not perceive my drive,” he mentioned. “All people would not perceive how aggressive I’m. … It is cool. There isn’t any arduous emotions.”
Fifth-year participant E.J. Velocity, who had been splitting reps with Leonard, is predicted to take over the beginning position at weakside linebacker alongside center linebacker Zaire Franklin.
Issues had been trending this manner for some time. Bradley has mentioned publicly the Colts had been searching for extra splash performs from Leonard. In addition they had been searching for methods to get Velocity on the sphere extra. Then, within the absence of an injured Franklin in a latest sport towards Carolina, Leonard didn’t see a rise in taking part in time. The Colts surprisingly turned to backup Segun Olubi to fill the position.
Leonard, a 2018 second-round decide and Defensive Rookie of the Yr, will likely be remembered for the clutch playmaking that grew to become his calling card earlier than his accidents. He was a first-team All-Professional in 2018, 2020 and 2021.
In 70 video games with Indianapolis, he amassed 32 tackles for losses, 31 passes defensed, 12 interceptions, 17 pressured fumbles and 7 fumble recoveries.
“Colts Nation will all the time bear in mind The Maniac’s palpable vitality on the sphere with every sort out, interception, punchout, and fumble restoration,” Colts proprietor Jim Irsay mentioned in a press release. “Off the sphere, he is a servant chief and assisted quite a few households in each his hometown and the Indianapolis group. We’re grateful for Shaq and the contributions he made to our group. We want him and his stunning household the very best shifting ahead.”
Basic supervisor Chris Ballard added: “Shaq is the final word competitor.”
As a result of the commerce deadline has handed, Leonard should clear waivers earlier than turning into a free agent regardless of being a vested veteran. The remaining stability of his $15.7 million base wage for 2023 is assured, however the future parameters of his contract are important.
Leonard signed a five-year, $99 million contract in 2021. That deal was scheduled to run via 2026, nevertheless it incorporates no ensures past this season. Releasing Leonard saves the Colts greater than $16 million in wage cap house in 2024, when he would have had a cap variety of $20.1 million. Greater than $50 million was left to be paid on Leonard’s deal from 2024 to 2026.
