Jerry Jones Reveals Reason For Shaq Leonard Miss; Dallas Cowboys-Philadelphia Eagles Playing For 2nd Place in NFC?
Rarely, it isn't about the money. But according to Jerry Jones, free-agent linebacker Shaq Leonard's decision to choose the Philadelphia Eagles over the Dallas Cowboys actually wasn't about dollars and cents.
"There was absolutely never a dollar, any money, mentioned," Jones said of his lunch with Leonard during his weekly radio visit on 105.3 The Fan Tuesday morning. "There was never a financial issue at all. That wasn’t the case. He wanted to go where he thought he had the best chance to play."
While admittedly disappointed that the former All-Pro player chose the Cowboys' NFC East rival ahead of Sunday night's showdown at AT&T Stadium, Jones attempted to shrug off the significance.
According to Jerry Jones, Shaq Leonard picked the Eagles over the Cowboys because of playing time, not money.
"We wanted him ... thought he had a place here," Jones said. "But it's not like he left some hole that we can't fill. We could very easily see him out there against us Sunday. But it was never an issue for us with the confidence we have in our linebackers."
After losing veteran linebacker Leighton Vander Esch to a season-ending - potentially career-ending neck injury - the Cowboys have increased the usage of players such as safety Markquese Bell playing near the line of scrimmage in run support. The swing-and-miss at Leonard doesn't affect their pursuit of upgrading the roster, say, perhaps a pursuit of former Cowboys linebacker Anthony Barr.
"We're in the market to improve at any position," Jones said. "It's just more likely than not that at this time of year you're not going to find someone who fits."
The 9-3 Cowboys hosts Leonard and the 10-2 Eagles with the division lead on the line. Though the San Francisco 49ers have walloped the Cowboys (42-10) and Eagles (42-19), Jones refuses to believe the NFC East teams are playing for second place.
"I'm not sure there's the separation that a lot of people seem to," Jones said. "We’ve got the talent with the way Dak (Prescott) is playing, and we got the opportunity to win any game we play against either of those teams. Can we beat either one of those teams? Absolutely. We have a good chance.”
