A defense that features Khalil Mack, the best pure pass-rusher in the NFL, has to be considered an elite pass-rushing unit by default, right? Well, maybe not.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Chicago Bears pass rush ranks just 10th in the NFL despite Mack’s presence, and while a top 10 ranking isn’t exactly bad, it’s not where the Bears should be heading into 2019.
This isn’t a diss toward PFF, either. Their ranking feels pretty much on point. It’s more about Leonard Floyd than anything else.
10. CHICAGO BEARS
This Bears’ pass-rush could look a whole lot different if the light switch ever turned on for former top-10 pick Leonard Floyd. He only managed 36 pressures last season despite rushing the passer the 30th-most snaps of any edge defender in the league.
Maybe this is the season it all clicks for Floyd. He’s entering his fourth year in the NFL and has just 15.5 sacks on his resume. Last season was arguably his worst when he finished with just four sacks despite starting all 16 games, but hope remains for the former top-10 pick.
Floyd hasn’t flashed much pass-rushing upside since his rookie season when he went recorded 6.5 sacks in a five-game stretch (Weeks 5-9). He’s battled a series of injuries since then and has devolved into more of a run defender and coverage outside linebacker.
Every season provides hope for a breakout, however. And if Floyd’s ever going to flirt with double-digit sacks, it’ll be in 2019 after a full training camp with Mack and (hopefully) 100% health.
