What Shaquille Leonard could do to the Cowboys’ Super Bowl Hopes

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In a stunning announcement this week, the Indianapolis Colts parted ways with perhaps their most prized possession defensively.

The team announced on Tuesday that Shaquille Leonard had been waived, making him probably the biggest name on the NFL waiver wire.

Since entering the league in 2018, “The Maniac” has been consistently one of the best linebackers, earning three All-Pro selections, plus three Pro Bowls, while also winning the 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.

In 2023, though, Leonard has seen limited defensive snaps despite fully recovering from back surgery in 2022.

Even though he only featured in three games last season, Leonard has played nine games this season, registering 65 tackles, the fourth-most on the Colts roster.

He led the league in tackles in 2018 and has registered in four seasons, so Leonard is still a valuable asset when fully healthy.

As we hit the campaign’s homestretch, you’d think there will be plenty of interest in him from other clubs.

What Leonard would add to the Cowboys

They are currently second in the league for yards allowed per game and fifth in turnover differential (+6).

Losing Leighton Vander Esch for the season, though, is a blow that could hurt them as the season progresses.

Markquese Bell is filling that void admirably for now, but the safety might be more valuable coming into that role on occasion.

He and Damone Clark have been holding down the fort in the absence of Vander Esch, but it would be helpful to Dan Quinn’s crew to have more stability in that position.

Adding Leonard to the Cowboys’ defensive unit would help fill some gaps in their run defense.

Dallas is in the middle of the pack regarding rushing yards conceded, so it’s not at crisis level, though there’s room for improvement.

The way the offense and defense are performing collectively, though, you have to think the Cowboys could be ready to make a Super Bowl run.

Come playoff time, they could come up against some elite runners like Christian McCaffrey, D’Andre Swift and David Montgomery in the NFC.

Bringing in a dependable, consistent tackler like Leonard would make them even tougher.

What it’ll take to bring “The Maniac” to Dallas

The trade deadline has come and gone, but the Cowboys could bring in Leonard in a couple of ways.

Claiming him would not be ideal, considering he’s earning around $1 million per game.

Picking up that salary with all the money Jerry Jones paid to re-sign players and add new ones over the off-season would require some restructuring.

The second option also comes with a potential risk but with a greater reward.

Most NFL teams right now are on a tight budget, too, so it’s entirely possible Leonard clears waivers.

Should he clear waivers, Leonard would get to pick his destination, and the Cowboys would have to pay the minimum for his services, while the Colts spend the rest.

The Cowboys have a defensive setup similar to the Colts and a familiar face in Stephon Gilmore.

Dallas appears to be a contender and is likely an attractive option for Leonard.