All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard wasted no time calling out his former team, the Indianapolis Colts, following the Philadelphia Eagles' 33-25 Christmas Day win over the New York Giants.
With the Eagles banged up at linebacker, Leonard stepped up and led the defense with a team-high seven tackles and his first sack since 2020.
“They wrote me off, talked down on my name," Leonard said after the game. "I’m here to prove it, prove I can still play, prove I can still make plays.”
Leonard was initially selected by the Colts in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft and had been with them leading up to his eventual release last month.
He accomplished a lot in his early days with the Colts, including NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, three Pro Bowl appearances and three seasons of All-Pro honors.
After playing in just three games in 2022 due to two back surgeries, Leonard returned to Indy with hopes of finishing right where he left off.
However, he was not his usual "Maniac" self as he was basked for missing several routine tackles and failed to log a single sack earlier this season. Because of poor performances, Leonard started seeing less and less playing time. He grew frustrated and expressing his frustration, the Colts decided to move on from him.
That's where the Eagles come in.
Leonard met back-to-back with the both Dallas Cowboys and Eagles before ultimately deciding to to reunite with Nick Sirianni.
Now Leonard has made himself at home with the Birds and while his first sack came a little later than usual, it looked damn good. Not to mention that there are still two games left and the playoffs for Leonard to continue to prove himself to the doubters.
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