The Green Bay Packers have won two straight games and are gaining confidence each week. Their Week 12 game against the Detroit Lions was their biggest game of the season so far, and they were prepared. The Packers never looked back after scoring a touchdown on their first drive of the game.
The Packers went into halftime with a commanding 23-6 lead, and Jordan Love was on fire. The final score was 29-22 (thanks to a late Detroit touchdown), but the Packers never trailed. The Packers are in a good position to make a run as the NFC Wild Card picture continues to shift.
With six games remaining, the Packers are only one spot out of the final wild card spot and must be feeling pretty good about their chances. The Packers are 5-6, while the Vikings and Seahawks are both 6-5. If the Packers want to make a playoff push, they should consider signing a veteran or two to provide leadership. As it turns out, one veteran may be able to assist.
The Green Bay Packers are expected to pursue veteran linebacker Shaquille Leonard in the late stages of the playoffs.
Peter Chawga asserts:
Despite the fact that the defense is in better shape than the offense, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell is one of the injured players. And the team’s defensive struggles thus far this season may pave the way for the addition of Shaq Leonard.
Shaq Leonard must now clear waivers after the trade deadline has passed before becoming a free agent. He has $15.7 million in guaranteed base salary remaining for 2023, and his current contract is set to expire in 2026. However, if the Green Bay Packers believe he can make a significant difference on the field, they may go to any length to add him to the roster and make a last-ditch playoff run.
Would Leonard Make Sense for the Packers?
Leonard suffered a nerve problem in 2022 and was limited to three games last season after undergoing two procedures. He is a three-time AP All-Pro selection, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and the 2018 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Despite starting nine games for the Colts in 2023, he saw the majority of his action on first and second downs.
Leonard played more than 95 percent of the Colts’ defensive snaps in 2023 prior to his surgeries.
Leonard was selected 36th overall by the Colts in the 2018 NFL Draft, and he made an immediate impact. Leonard recorded 163 tackles, two interceptions, four forced fumbles, 12 tackles for loss, and seven sacks in 2018. Leonard had five interceptions in 2019, and he forced eight fumbles in 2021.
