“That’s what I’m most hurt about,” said Leonard, unceremoniously cut by the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday. “I feel like I left (my teammates) out to dry, being a leader in that locker room.
Leonard (well-known as Darius Leonard but now going by his middle name as well as his high-energy nickname of “The Maniac”) has been one the league’s best linebackers since entering the NFL as a second-round pick of the Colts in 2018.
But Indy has recently lessened his playing time, maybe in part as a reflection of some level of decline in the 28-year-old’s play. Still, one of the reasons he is terming the move as “shocking” is because he thought he was being called into the front office on Tuesday to discuss his role .
Leonard has been top-notch on the field and off for his six seasons in Indy, and now is subject to NFL waivers. If a team claims him (the order, like the NFL Draft, goes worst-teams-first), that’s his new employer.
Due to his salary – he essentially would be paid a steep $1 million weekly should a team claim him and therefore have to pick up a chunk of his huge $98 million contract – we wonder if he’ll pass through waivers … and thus be able to pick his own team.
He’s now largely a run-stopper and a veteran presence, and his time on the unemployment line won’t last long. But first … he’ll need some time for “shock” to wear off.
