Chicago Bears: What happens with Leonard Floyd?
The Chicago Bears have a big decision to make on linebacker Leonard Floyd. Do they sign him on an extension or do they let him walk in free agency?
The Chicago Bears have a number of big decisions to make with the new NFL season beginning next week. One of their biggest decisions concerns linebacker Leonard Floyd.
There were high hopes for the freakishly athletic Floyd when he got to Chicago. The problem when he got to the Bears was his frame. He had a slim body, one that couldn’t take the rigors of the NFL. He played his collegiate career in the 230s, but when he got to the NFL Combine he came in at 244.
The extra weight didn’t hurt his athleticism and he impressed the scouts. The Bears made him the ninth overall pick in the 2016 draft. Floyd was general manager Ryan Pace’s second first-round pick in his time in Chicago.
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Despite missing four games in his rookie season, Floyd showed promise, recording seven sacks. That total, however, is still his career-high. Even though his weight is up in the 250s now, he still doesn’t have the strength to free himself up from blockers.
The Bears faced a decision last offseason to pick up a fifth-year option on Floyd (much like they face with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky this year). Now, the Bears face a decision — do they keep him at the $13.22 million price tag, sign him to an extension that lowers his cap hit, or let him walk in free agency.
When the Bears acquired Pro Bowl linebacker Khalil Mack many felt that teaming the dominant Mack with the athletic Floyd would give the team an incredible pass rush. They would harass quarterbacks for years.
That didn’t happen, though. Floyd was unable to effectively rush the quarterback. In his two seasons playing along Mack, he only registered seven total sacks. With defensive lineman Akiem Hicks missing time due to an injury, Mack saw an incredible number of double teams. He still finished among the league leaders in pressuring the quarterback but he wasn’t able to get to them after having to go through so many bodies.
Floyd has done a good job against the run and in coverage, though. That is what Pace emphasized in his final press conference at the end of the 2019 season, per NBC Sports Chicago:
"“We’re happy with Leonard. I know the stats don’t always say that. Leonard does a lot of things that go a little undervalued. The versatility he provides, things he can do in coverage. Not a lot of outside linebackers that can provide the versatility he provides… Would we like more production with him? Yeah.”“There’s a lot of times this year he’s so close. If you look at his pressures, hits in the series, they’re up there. The sack production, not so much.”"
After that press conference, many speculate that the Bears will keep Floyd, but likely try to sign him to an extension on a smaller salary cap hit. While he only had three sacks in 2019, he finished second on the team in quarterback pressures with 38. As Pace said, he’s getting close. Is he getting close enough for the Bears to invest in a multi-year contract?
As I mentioned, Floyd was Pace’s second first-round pick. His first, Kevin White, was a disaster. He could not stay healthy. He played in only 14 games in three seasons and had 25 catches for 285 yards and no touchdowns. If Pace gives up on Floyd now, his first two top picks leave something to be desired. However, if that’s what he needs to do then he must forget his ego and do what is right for the team.
There are signs that Pace just might do that. Sports Illustrated had an article stating that Floyd could be a salary cap victim. Also, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell speculated that the Bears could trade Floyd to the New York Giants (and an interesting tidbit about Tom Brady coming to Chicago).
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Does Floyd’s run defense and his pressures outweigh his poor sack production? Remember, Without him succeeding in one-on-ones Mack faces double-teams. The Bears invested a gold mine in Mack and need to do whatever they can to make sure he succeeds. Will they gamble that Floyd can finally do that, or will they look to someone else to get it done?