After being released by the Indianapolis Colts, free agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard had hopes of joining a contender, so he met with both the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles last week.
He took the weekend to ponder his decision and ultimately chose to sign with the Eagles on Monday afternoon.
Head coach Nick Sirianni had a lot to do with Leonard's final decision.
"Nick and I were together in Indy. Nick was a great coach, a great competitor. We had a bond when we were in Indy," Leonard said earlier this week on why he chose to come to Philly over Dallas.
Leonard and Sirianni spent three seasons (2018-2019 together in Indy, while Sirianni served as the Colts' offensive coordinator.
The bond that he and Sirianni had built through team meetings and competing against each other at practice held strong weight over the reason why he wanted a reunion.
"I’m not going to say they need me," Leonard said. "I feel like their defense was playing well. I feel like the linebackers were playing well. I have a lot of respect for their linebackers, so it wasn’t that. It was more so I wanted to go somewhere that would fit me and the coach knew as a person and as a player. That’s why I came here.”
Coincidentally enough, the Eagles face the Cowboys on Sunday in what is a must-win game for both sides.
Leonard, who will be repping No. 53 for the Birds, could play a large role in the outcome.
More must-reads: