Shaquille Leonard has found a new home.

The free agent linebacker agreed to a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday.

The 28-year-old had also met with the Dallas Cowboys, but ultimately decided to join the reigning NFC champions.

The Eagles, who visit the Cowboys on Sunday, suddenly need to shore up their defence after surrendering 456 yards in yesterday's 42-19 drubbing by the San Francisco 49ers in the highly anticipated NFC championship game rematch.

Since Week 11, Philadelphia is 31st in rushing defence, permitting an average of 162.3 yards per game on the ground after boasting the league's top-ranked rushing defence prior to its Week 10 bye, yielding 66.3 rushing yards per game.

The hope is Leonard, who was surprisingly waived by the Indianapolis Colts on November 21, can recapture the play that made him one of the top defenders in the league.

Leonard was voted to the AP All-Pro team as a rookie in 2018, then again in 2020 and 2021, but his injuries limited him to just three games last season and his production has dropped significantly.

After spending his first six seasons in Indianapolis, he was then cut by the Colts last month after complaining about his lack of playing time.

He had started the first nine games of the season for Indianapolis, registering 65 tackles with two going for loss.

In 70 career games, Leonard has 15 sacks, 12 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

 

We've agreed to terms on a one-year deal with LB Shaquille Leonard. pic.twitter.com/WjCsPDHRVQ

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 4, 2023