Colts players, fans react to Shaquille Leonard's release
Shaquille Leonard, who was released Tuesday by the Indianapolis Colts, did a lot as "The Maniac."
The second-round (No. 36 overall) 2018 NFL Draft pick out of South Carolina State was that year's Defensive Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-Pro selection.
He also earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2020 and '21, while earning Pro Bowl nods from 2019-21.
His career numbers include 614 tackles, 32 for a loss, 15 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries, 12 interceptions, and 31 passes defended.
Injuries came at him fast before the 2022 season, in which he played just three games. After two back surgeries, he returned to field this season.
In nine games this season, he was in on 65 tackles, two for a loss. He was rarely on the field on third down, when he used to make his greatest impact. Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed have supplanted him as the Colts' primary linebackers.
Leonard, 28, was signed through the 2026 season. His dead cap numbers are $8 million in '24 and $4 million, according to Spotrac.
Here's how Colts fans view his release.
53. Since Day1 came in and made ya mark. Your legacy is written in stone brudda. Always love gang 🖤 pic.twitter.com/czMST6z3oh
— Zaire Franklin (@ZiggySmalls_) November 21, 2023
gonna miss you bro. one of a kind, what a time. thank you wholeheartedly for everything. Love.
⚡️ pic.twitter.com/aanWEsvnWV— Kenny Moore II (@KennyKennyMoe3) November 21, 2023
.@Colts LB @EJ_SPEED says the "Legend of the Maniac" won't stop here.@dsleon45 | @WISH_TV pic.twitter.com/lTYVJR33qh
— Andrew Chernoff - WISH-TV (@ADChernoff) November 21, 2023
Shaq Leonard news is surprising in terms of the timing, not in terms of the release itself. Shaq has been complaining about a lack of play time recently and quite frankly, hasn't deserved it compared to the other linebackers in the room and you are stuck with a bad contract for… pic.twitter.com/zow32bLCTF
— Cody Felger (@CPFelger55) November 21, 2023
I am going to assume Shaq Leonard asked for his release (which was a foregone conclusion at the end of the season, imo).
It's a tough end for a guy who was an incredible story and player. Hope he can find a second wind elsewhere.— Derek Schultz (@Schultz975) November 21, 2023
Indianapolis doesn't boast a long list of electric defensive stars. Shaq Leonard was responsible for a significant percentage of what made the high points of 2018-21 the high points. I'll always treasure those moments. Spine/nerve injuries suck, man.
— Collin (@cmccollo) November 21, 2023
Shaq Leonard’s first few seasons were actually insane. he was on a hall of fame trajectory with his fellow draft mate Quenton Nelson
— PacersMuse (@PacersStatsMuse) November 21, 2023
“Dad, what was prime Shaq Leonard like?” pic.twitter.com/pUGJMoRm5r
— Luke Foster (@luke_slam) November 21, 2023
Colts releasing Shaq Leonard definitely sucks but he just wasn’t the same player. I know the scheme didn’t help him but he can’t say he’s back to being himself when he didn’t look like it all year. Touch situation & hope he lands on a good team
— Devan (@HookEmDevo) November 21, 2023
Everybody butt hurt about Shaq Leonard getting cut are the same people saying bench/cut him cause of all of the missed tackles and whatnot this season. This is crazy. He couldn’t get back to his previous self post-back injury. It’s time 🤷🏻♂️
— Nicholas Wilson (@n_will13) November 21, 2023
Shaq Leonard waived 😭 good things never last, man
— Keenan (@40luvvv) November 21, 2023
ANY DAY ON ANY PLAY, an injury can change an NFL player’s career, no matter how talented or promising his career may be. We’ve had a chance to witness some exceptional play from Shaq Leonard that had him well on his way to HOF consideration…
The risks are great; but to most of…— Tazim Wajid Wajed (@NFLHitman33) November 21, 2023
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts fans react to release of former All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard
