The Colts released 4-time All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard and fans were stunned

Shaquille Leonard was once a sigil of the Indianapolis Colts’ ability to develop stars through the NFL Draft. Now he’s a pending free agent.

The four-time All-Pro was released Tuesday, just two years after signing a five-year, $98 million contract extension that was supposed to make him the centerpiece of a rising defense for years to come. While that gave way to another stellar season in 2021, Leonard’s 2022 was cut down to three games due to injury. He hadn’t looked the same upon his 2023 return and ceded snaps to Zaire Franklin in the middle of the Indianapolis defense.

That led to the surprise release, which will accelerate $19.7 million in dead money onto the team’s salary cap for 2023, per Over the Cap. Leonard took to Twitter Tuesday afternoon to express his graditude to Colts fans.

Indy, I thank you pic.twitter.com/VxMa1VU2IA

— Darius Shaquille Leonard (@dsleon45) November 21, 2023

While foreshadowed by a lack of playing time — his snap share had decreased from 98 percent in 2021 to 70 percent this season — the move was still a surprise to many. Here’s how fans and analysts reacted.