Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season will officially mark the end of a Pro Bowl and All-Pro linebacker’s playing career.
On Wednesday, three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Shaquille Leonard announced that he is retiring from the NFL. Leonard was a second-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2018 NFL Draft and quickly emerged as one of the league’s elite linebackers, earning Rookie of the Year and First-Team All-Pro honors in his first season.
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In the three seasons that followed, Leonard earned three straight All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections while averaging 125 tackles per season. But a serious back injury in 2021 limited him to just three games in 2022 and by 2023 his career was on life support. In 2023, his final season, Leonard was granted his release from the Colts and spent his final few games with the Eagles.
But on Sunday, the Colts will honor Leonard at halftime and allow him to retire as a member of the team.
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Tributes to a Legend
Many NFL fans acknowledge what a dominant force Leonard was in the league before his injury and have offered him their respects on both the incredible career he had and the career he could have had:
“Thanks for everything. It’s sad how everything ended but that doesn’t take away the great play we got to watch. We’d kill for the next Shaq Leonard on this team lemme tell you,” one fan wrote on X.
“Dude was such a beast… legitimate difference maker on defense,” wrote another.
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“One of the best football players I ever watched. Felt like he made a game changing play every game.”
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 29: Indianapolis Colts Linebacker Shaquille Leonard (53) warms up for the NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts on October 29, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
“Absolutely loved this guy and everything he did for our team. Never felt a bigger need to be inside Lucas Oil but unfortunately will be traveling for work.”
“Favorite player ending it the right way. Shaq deserves nothing but the best!”
As far as Leonard’s future goes, he has already transitioned into various roles coaching football at younger levels.
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This story was originally reported by The Spun on Oct 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.