Colts player is still not happy with his current limited role at linebacker

Shaq Leonard, a linebacker for the Colts, is still not happy with his reduced role as the starting linebacker at this time.

Shaquille Leonard, a linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts, publicly vented his frustration on Thursday about his limited role as a starting linebacker once more (via Kevin Bowen of 1075TheFan).

There is obviously a difference of opinion between Leonard and the Colts coaching staff regarding his ability to play on passing downs. They seem to think that E.J. Speed, who is now notably faster and more athletic, is the better option.

In fairness, there are numbers that support the Colts coaching staff’s assessment, as Speed has performed admirably this season as a nickel linebacker.

Given that he isn’t permitted to play as loosely and flow to the ball as he once was in former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’s “Cover 2” scheme, it’s also reasonable to wonder if Leonard is a better fit at linebacker in the current Colts defensive scheme.

Nevertheless, Leonard continues to be valuable; on Sunday, he led the Colts in tackles with 10, including seven solo stops, during the previous weekend. Even though he hasn’t completely recovered from two back surgeries, he has displayed glimpses of his former physical self as “The Maniac.”

The question of whether Leonard fits in better at linebacker in the current Colts defensive scheme is also legitimate, given that he isn’t permitted to play as loosely and freely to the football as he was in the “Cover 2” scheme of former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

Notwithstanding this, Leonard continues to be valuable; just this past Sunday, he led the Colts in tackles with 10, including seven solo stops. Despite not having fully recovered from his two back surgeries, he has displayed moments of being “The Maniac.”

Just one week prior, Leonard’s head coach Shane Steichen referred to him as “the ultimate competitor.” However, Leonard would have preferred to keep discussions about playing time with the Colts coaching staff private.

That is to say, at the halfway point of the season, there is undoubtedly some growing hostility and frustration between Leonard and the Colts coaching staff—and no real resolution in sight.

Defense coordinator Gus Bradley had earlier in the season said that the Colts were preparing Leonard for a full workload starting in November, but Thanksgiving month has just started, and Leonard has only played his second-fewest snaps of the year.

While Leonard is attempting to regain his previous NFL All-Pro form, the Colts may eventually come to a decision at the end of the season about the man who is arguably the greatest linebacker in Indianapolis’ history—a decision that could have significant implications for the salary cap.

Leonard, who is under contract until 2027, has a $20.124 million cap hit in 2024. By cutting Leonard this offseason, the Colts could save about $12 million.

Although firing a once-loved player would not be an easy decision, the Colts might find it difficult to justify taking on such a large salary cap hit for a linebacker who is essentially a two-down player.