According to the most recent Philadelphia Eagles reports, the organization is planning a visit with three-time Pro Bowler Shaq Leonard. On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, the star defense will meet with the Dallas Cowboys.
It remains to be seen whether Leonard will pay the Eagles a visit or sign with the Cowboys during his meeting. What appears to be certain is that the Eagles have opted to pursue Leonard. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Leonard “should” visit the Eagles before Week 13.
“Free-agent three-time All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard is visiting today [November 28] with the Dallas Cowboys and, in the words of a source, ‘should be visiting later this week’ with the Philadelphia Eagles,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on November 28.
However, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that no visit with the Eagles is planned. The Eagles “hope” to meet with Leonard, but this is contingent on the star not striking an agreement during his visit to Dallas.
“All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard is visiting with the Cowboys and I was told the Eagles do not have a visit set up yet,” Russini said on the 28th of November. “The hope in Philly is that if he leaves Dallas without a deal, they will be able to sign him.” Other teams are also in discussions with Leonard’s camp about probable interest.”
There have been contradictory reports about the Eagles’ interest in signing Leonard. The Eagles were not interested in Leonard, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson.
Never before. “There was no initial interest,” Anderson tweeted on November 27. “However, if Zach Cunningham’s hamstring injury that ruled him out of the game against the Bills is problematic & lingers, they could potentially discuss Leonard again.”
Anderson updated her reporting hours later, highlighting Philly’s “increasing interest” in Leonard. The accident to Zach Cunningham caused this change of heart.
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“I’m told the Eagles now have increasing interest in pursuing free agent LB Shaq Leonard, following the reported hamstring injury to LB Zach Cunningham Sunday, per source,” he said.
If Leonard’s health is OK, owner Jerry Jones will almost certainly press Leonard to sign with the Cowboys before making any other visits. Another obstacle is that the Cowboys have more leftover cap space than the Eagles in a battle for Leonard.
The good news for Philadelphia is that Leonard’s choice may not be influenced by money. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Leonard will most likely start on the practice squad at his next stop. A practice squad contract would be the same regardless of team.
“Something to consider w/potential Shaq Leonard signing: Eagles have only $2m in cap space, per OTC,” 94 Working Draft On November 27, Philadelphia’s Eliot Shorr-Parks tweeted. “The Cowboys have $6 million.” I’m sure Howie can/will make it work, but the Eagles don’t have a lot of room. If there is a bidding war, the Cowboys will have more room to work with.”
