Shaquille Leonard Blames Colts, Gus Bradley for Losing Love of NFL

The former All-Pro linebacker opened up about the bitter end of his time in Indianapolis.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:04pm

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Shaquille Leonard, a former star linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts, revealed that his frustrations with the team and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley led him to lose his love for the NFL. Leonard said he felt betrayed after the Colts questioned his commitment and professionalism, leading him to retire at just 30 years old.

Why it matters

Leonard was on a Hall of Fame trajectory with the Colts, making three Pro Bowls and three First-Team All-Pro teams in his first four seasons. His abrupt downfall and early retirement due to issues with the team's coaching staff highlights the fragility of NFL careers and the importance of maintaining positive player-coach relationships.

The details

Leonard said he was devastated when the Colts and Bradley accused him of being a 'bad teammate' and not doing enough treatment on a debilitating back injury that limited him to just three games in 2022. He felt the team unfairly scapegoated him for the defense's struggles that season. Leonard said he 'walked away' from the NFL because he couldn't give his all to an organization that had 'stabbed him in the back'.

  • In 2022, Leonard dealt with a herniated disc issue that required back surgery and limited him to 3 games.
  • Leonard was waived by the Colts in 2023 and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, but retired just a few years later at age 30.

The players

Shaquille Leonard

A former star linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts who made 3 Pro Bowls and 3 First-Team All-Pro teams in his first 4 seasons, before injuries and issues with the coaching staff led to his early retirement at age 30.

Gus Bradley

The former defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts, who Leonard blamed for souring his relationship with the organization and causing him to lose his love for the NFL.

Eric Ebron

A former tight end for the Indianapolis Colts who hosted the YouTube show where Leonard opened up about his experiences.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think that I could take that mental hurt again when you give everything to somebody or an organization, and they said that I was a bad teammate? They said that I wasn't doing treatment to make myself better? And I'm spending all this money, bringing all these people in, trying to get ready to go play for these guys?”

— Shaquille Leonard, Former Colts Linebacker

“If this is how ruthless it is. We were playing bad defensively, not just because of me. But, somebody had to take the blame. So, if the DC isn't taking the blame, next person's gotta go. So I understood the business part of it where it's gotta be either you or me, but just be real about it. Don't tarnish my name and my reputation and what I've done for this organization to say I'm a bad person, bad teammate, bad leader, I don't do this.”

— Shaquille Leonard, Former Colts Linebacker

What’s next

Leonard's early retirement at age 30 due to his issues with the Colts organization and coaching staff will likely spark further discussion about player-coach relationships and the mental toll of professional sports.

The takeaway

This case highlights the fragility of NFL careers and the importance of maintaining positive player-coach relationships. Leonard's abrupt downfall and early retirement after being a dominant defensive force for the Colts serves as a cautionary tale about the need for organizations to support and empower their star players, even through adversity.