Ever since he was selected ninth overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, there has been quite the buzz surrounding Bears OLB Leonard Floyd. Players and coaches alike have seen the strides he’s made in practice, and while he’s had his moments, the fourth-year veteran hasn’t been able to put all the pieces together to be a consistently disruptive force.
General manager Ryan Pace is still a believer, however.
Speaking at the Bears press conference to open training camp in Decatur, IL, Pace, along with Head Coach Matt Nagy, were asked about his evaluation of Floyd following the 2018 season.
“I think he’s steadily getting better. I know it’s hard with just shorts on, but if you said ‘what player non-rookie stood out to you in this offseason program’ would be Leonard Floyd,” Pace said. “Just as he develops his pass rush and his counters, working with (Outside Linebackers Coach) Ted Monachino, working with Khalil Mack, I just feel like he’s getting better and better.”
It’s no secret Floyd will be under the microscope all season, especially after the Bears picked up his fifth-year option. The former Georgia Bulldog has established himself as a superb run defender but hasn’t produced as a pass-rusher the Bears had thought he was when they drafted him.
Playing a full season for the first time in his career, Floyd registered 47 tackles, four sacks, and a fumble recovery in 2018. During his first two seasons, Floyd dealt with head and knee injuries, causing him to finish the season on injured reserve.
Will Floyd finally realize his potential and become the star pass rusher Pace envisioned or is this another round of offseason fool’s gold? We’ll soon find out.
