Leonard Floyd Return? Why Bears May Gamble On Former 1st-Round Disappointment
The Chicago Bears traded up for Leonard Floyd in the 2016 NFL draft. Then-general manager Ryan Pace felt his mixture of size, length, and athleticism was incredibly rare for a budding pass rusher. Things started well. He collected seven sacks as a rookie that year, flashing serious potential. Then things just kind of levelled off. Floyd managed just 11.5 sacks over the next three seasons. Chicago didn’t pick up his 5th-year option and allowed him to leave in free agency in 2020.
To his credit, Floyd didn’t let that derail him. Over the next six seasons, he amassed 51.5 sacks, winning the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. After all the disappointment of his time in Chicago, he’s carved out a highly respectable career. Now he is a free agent after spending a year with the Falcons in Atlanta. Bleacher Reports seems to think a reunion with the Bears would be in the interests of both parties. Chicago needs pass rush depth. Floyd likely wishes to join a playoff contender.
Pass-rusher Leonard Floyd has entered the “veteran mercenary” stage of his career. However, the 33-year-old remains a disruptive defender who would make plenty of sense for a contender in need of edge help.
This past season, Floyd logged 19 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 19 quarterback pressures, 11 QB hits, and five tackles for loss across 15 games with the Atlanta Falcons…
…The Bears could use an edge-rushing boost, too, after only recording 35 sacks as a team in 2025. Chicago drafted Floyd ninth overall in 2016, and while he never played up to his draft status for the Bears, he’s carved out a very respectable career since.
A reunion would be sensible for the Bears and Floyd.
Best Fits: Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers
Leonard Floyd has little to fear about a Chicago return.
None of the people involved in drafting ten years ago are around anymore. Pace was fired in 2022. John Fox was fired in 2018. This coaching staff and front office are entirely new, with zero preconceived notions. They will see a solid veteran pass rusher who can help the defense. Nothing more. Last season was another pretty good one for Floyd. While he only had 3.5 sacks, he did have 36 pressures on 287 rushes. That was significantly fewer than the 373 he had the year before in San Francisco, when he had 10.5 sacks.
Despite his age, Floyd doesn’t seem to have lost much of the burst and quickness that made him so alluring as a 1st round pick all those years ago. The difference this time is he’s far more polished as a pass rusher, boasting a deep toolbox of moves. Would defensive coordinator Dennis Allen go for it? He usually prefers heavier players on the edge. Floyd hovers between 240 and 250 lbs. Can they trust him to set the edge against the run, or would he be purely a designated rusher?
A Floyd decision may wait until after the draft.
Given his age, there isn’t much of a rush from other teams to make a move. They know he will probably be there in May after the draft. Chicago wants to see what they can accomplish along the defensive line there. It is projected to be a strong class with several capable talents. They could solve their edge rusher problem as early as the 1st or 2nd rounds. However, as they learned at running back last year, sometimes the board doesn’t fall their way. If it happens at edge rusher in this draft, they could pivot to Leonard Floyd as a temporary solution.
The story would certainly be fun. A former 1st round pick who never found his footing with his original team gets to return and try to end things on a higher note. Imagine Floyd coming in and giving the Bears defense 7-8 sacks next season. That would be a monumental benefit, especially if Austin Booker can take the next step as well. Much depends on how the market unfolds once the draft is complete. Some prominent names are still out there, including Cameron Jordan and Jadeveon Clowney. Their destinations will determine Floyd’s fate.