Not long after Dante Fowler Jr. agreed to a three-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, the Los Angeles Rams found his replacement. According to Adam Schefter, the Rams are signing Leonard Floyd to a one-year deal worth $10 million. The contract can be worth up to $13 million for one season.
That’s a hefty price to pay for a player who was just released by the Chicago Bears, but the Rams lacked quality options at outside linebacker with Fowler gone. Floyd spent the last four years with the Bears, two of which were under new Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who coached the outside linebackers in Chicago from 2017-2018.
Floyd’s sack totals have decreased each year he’s been in the NFL, but he tied a career-high with 12 QB hits in 2019. He did only have three sacks and three tackles for loss, though.
While it may seem like a lot of money to give a pass rusher on the decline, this deal won’t impact the Rams’ compensatory pick formula since he was released by the Bears. Additionally, his connection to Staley suggests the defensive coordinator has a plan for Floyd on the edge.
