BREAKING: Colts Shockingly Release All-Pro LB Darius ‘Shaquille’ Leonard

This is a stunner.

The Indianapolis Colts have released All-Pro linebacker Darius ‘Shaquille’ Leonard on Tuesday. Leonard made the announcement on his Twitter/X page:

Indy, I thank you 💜 pic.twitter.com/VxMa1VU2IA

— Darius Shaquille Leonard (@dsleon45) November 21, 2023

Shaquille Leonard is making a $15.7 million guaranteed base salary — about $6.1M for the rest of this season — and has another $6.5M guaranteed for injury in 2024, so it's hard to imagine he gets claimed. In all likelihood, he'll clear and become a free agent.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 21, 2023

If a team were to claim Shaq Leonard off of waivers, it would owe him $6.11M for the remainder of this season.

He's under contract through 2026, due as follows:
2024: ~$16.1M
2025: ~$19M
2026: ~$19.6M

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 21, 2023

Leonard is a three-time first-team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler and 2018 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. He underwent two procedures in 2022 to address a nerve issue during and only appeared in three games last season. He returned for 2023 and started nine of the Colts’ 10 games, but was limited to primarily playing on first and second downs.

Leonard, 28, was the Colts second-round pick in 2018 out of South Carolina State. In 2023, Leonard has appeared in nine games for the Colts and recorded 65 total tackles, two tackles for loss and no sacks or interceptions. 

Jim Irsay weighed in on the roster move:

Tough business.. 💙 pic.twitter.com/fb2XcdmegD

— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) November 21, 2023

We’ll have more on this news as it becomes available…