5 teams that make the most sense for newly released LB Shaquille Leonard

Shaquille Leonard is less than two years removed from his last All-Pro season. The 28-year-old linebacker hasn’t looked like one of the league’s elite defenders recently, however.

A 2022 injury led to diminished play, concerns about his snap share and, ultimately, his surprising release before Week 12 of the 2023 NFL season. While any team can now snag him off waivers, the $6.1 million salary owed to him by any franchise that does so is a prohibitive cost. It’s much more likely he’ll go unclaimed, allowing him to sign a new contract with any interested team at a more palatable price tag for the rest of the year.

Leonard hasn’t played up to the high standard he’d set between 2018 and 2021. Once a do-it-all chunk of foundational bedrock in the middle of the field, waning lateral quickness related to last year’s back injury has lowered his ceiling. 2023 saw his coverage skills erode as he tried to chase down running backs and served as the backdrop of a 7.1 percent missed tackle rate — highest of his career.

This doesn’t mean his career is over. Leonard can still offer plenty at a position of need for many teams, particularly those in the thick of this winter’s playoff race. So who’d make the most sense? These are the teams who’ll likely be in touch with his agent, in no particular order.