According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Minnesota Vikings are one of many teams collecting information on former Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker Shaq Leonard.
With the injury to Jordan Hicks keeping him out until at the earliest Christmas Eve against the Detroit Lions, it’s smart practice to look at a potential option both short and long-term.
Here is what Russini had to say about Leonard’s free agency.
The former Colts linebacker cleared waivers Wednesday and is now a free agent, and according to multiple league sources, he has options. Leonard spent the last few seasons in Indy after signing a five-year, $98.25 million contract extension in 2021, but then injuries held him back. Now teams still in contention like the Eagles, Cowboys, Vikings and others are “collecting information” on him. A league source said Leonard may take his time making a decision.
Leonard was waived on Tuesday after he seemingly requested it. He hasn’t been seeing the field with E.J. Speed seeing more snaps than him. Now, Leonard has been dealing with a lot of injuries over the last few seasons and has seemingly lost a step.
Looking into bringing Leonard in is one thing, but it will be another to sign him. The Colts still owe him $6.1 million for the rest of the season and that could impact what kind of contract he signs.
What signing Leonard would signal is the Vikings don’t fully trust their linebacker room without Hicks. Rookie Ivan Pace Jr. played every snap on Sunday night and fared well, but the depth isn’t there behind him.
The Vikings currently sit at $7.48 million in cap space per Over The Cap, so they have money to play with if they so choose.
