Should the Colts Trade Shaquille Leonard?

With rumors swirling about what might happen with Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard, would trading the All-Pro make sense?

The Indianapolis Colts are going into their most pivotal off-season in a long time. 

With Shane Steichen now hired, that checks off the box for the head coach. However, superstars on the team have had their names put into headlines, some involving trades. 

One superstar’s name sticks out: Linebacker and Colts defensive leader Shaquille Leonard. However, despite having some nagging injuries that sidelined him for most of the 2022 season, the Colts can ill-afford to trade off their illustrious defensive leader known simply as “The Maniac.” Here’s why.

It is fair to say that linebackers Bobby Okereke and Zaire Franklin played well in Leonard’s absence. The latter set the single-season record for tackles (167; previously held by Leonard), and the former set career-highs in solo tackles (99) and overall tackles (151).

But Leonard is genuinely in a different stratosphere of production. He can return to this level now that his most recent surgery has solved the nerve issue that bothered him. Let’s run the numbers on his career.

Through five years (all with the Colts), Leonard has 549 total tackles, 31 passes defended, 30 tackles for loss, 17 fumbles forced, 15 sacks, and 12 interceptions. These are impressive, without a doubt.

However, when put into context that Leonard was struggling with the aforementioned nerve problem and sat out nearly all of 2022, and those stats stick out even more. He also was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018, had three consecutive Pro Bowl nominations (2019-2021), and is a three-time All-Pro. If everything lines up for Leonard, he could have a resurgent year in 2023 and get back on track with his disruptive ways and forcing turnovers.

There are rumors galore about who the Colts may or may not trade for the No.1 overall pick in the NFL draft. If the Colts’ front office decides to make a deal, they must leave Leonard out of it entirely. He is far too important and has been for a long time. 

With a healthy back, and a breath of life with Steichen at the helm, Leonard can become “the Maniac” yet again.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

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