Some assistance is on the way in which at a place the place the Eagles actually need it.

The Eagles on Monday introduced they’re signing three-time All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard to bolster what was the weakest place on the roster.

Leonard, 28, may not be the participant he as soon as was throughout his prime in Indianapolis however the veteran ought to be capable to assist the Eagles’ protection the remainder of the 2023 season. Leonard is simply the newest veteran addition throughout this season, becoming a member of Kevin Byard, Bradley Roby and Julio Jones.

The Eagles started this season with Nakobe Dean and Zach Cunningham as their beginning linebackers. But Dean has missed many of the season and is on IR once more after present process foot surgical procedure. And Cunningham suffered a hamstring harm towards the Bills and missed the 49ers sport. Against the 49ers, the Eagles began Nicholas Morrow and Christian Elliss and it didn’t go effectively. The 49ers attacked each of them early and infrequently.

If it wasn’t clear earlier than the 49ers sport, it grew to become clear through the 42-19 beatdown: The Eagles wanted some exterior assist. Luckily for them, Leonard determined to signal with the Eagles as an alternative of the rival Dallas Cowboys.

The Eagles will play the Cowboys in North Texas on Sunday Night Football this week.

After visiting the Cowboys earlier final week, Leonard visited the NovaCare Complex on Wednesday. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is aware of Leonard effectively from their days collectively in Indianapolis. Last Wednesday, Leonard met with Sirianni within the morning and met with another coaches within the early afternoon.

What was Sirianni’s pitch to Leonard?

“All I’ll ever do is just be honest with him and tell him what the situation is here, what the situation is in this building,” Sirianni mentioned. “I feel the pitch is simply the blokes that now we have on this constructing, and a few of them he has a previous relationship, too. I would like Shaq to make the choice that is greatest for him. Because, once more, when there may be that prior relationship you wish to ensure that — and that is what I mentioned to him, ‘I just want you to make the best decision for you. Take all the information from both places and do what’s best for you.’

“So, I’ve called him a bunch the last couple days, and, shoot, he’ll make the decision that’s best for him. I’m confident in that. He’s a good person.”

Leonard was launched by the Colts not too long ago after he dropped of their pecking order. After he cleared waivers, he was free to signal with any group within the NFL. He finally determined to affix the Eagles.

Sirianni was the offensive coordinator in Indianapolis for the primary three seasons of Leonard’s profession. And after Sirianni bombed his introductory press convention in Philly in 2021, Leonard took to social media to defend him.

What does Sirianni bear in mind about Leonard from their days collectively?

“Yeah, he made a lot of plays, that’s for sure,” Sirianni mentioned final week. “He had a knack for the soccer and how one can get the soccer. What I bear in mind is simply how, as an offensive coordinator, how exhausting he was to throw round. His size was similar to Jim Boeheim’s 2-3 zone at Syracuse. He’s going to make a play within the passing lane.

“He was a great teammate and I really enjoyed being around him. I still have a relationship with him. I think he is a great person, great teammate, and like I said, the main thing was the ball and the length that come to mind with that.”

From 2018 by 2021, Leonard was top-of-the-line linebackers and total defensive gamers within the NFL. During that four-year span, Leonard had 15 sacks, 17 pressured fumbles, 12 interceptions, 31 cross breakups, 32 tackles for loss and 343 solo tackles. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro throughout that stretch.

But Leonard was in a position to play in simply three video games in 2022 due to harm. Leonard had again surgical procedure that offseason, suffered a concussion within the season opener after which re-injured his again. In 2023, Leonard didn’t seem like that All-Pro model and his play time started to dwindle.

While it could be unfair to anticipate Leonard to return to his All-Pro peak, he ought to at the least assist at a place the place the Eagles desperately want it.

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