How will Leonard Floyd be viewed in Chicago Bears history? Most fans will see him as a major draft bust. A guy who came in with a lot of hype but whose failure to ascend prompted GM Ryan Pace to mortgage the team's future to trade for Khalil Mack. He never became the stud pass rusher the team hoped for. As a result, the two sides parted ways this offseason. While not on the level of Kevin White or Mitch Trubisky, Floyd can't be seen as anything other than a disappointment.
Yet apparently this didn't stop him from being in demand the moment he left in March. The Los Angeles Rams, spearheaded by new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, made a strong push to sign him. This despite the team being in salary cap hell due to previous major contract moves. Yet they were so determined to get their guy that they went above and beyond to make the contract work.
"The Rams cap situation is a bit tight. There’s no secret to that.
Fitting in all their new free agent additions hasn’t been easy and they’ve been forced to get creative.
For example, Leonard Floyd’s deal with the Rams was reported as a one-year deal worth up to $13 million with $10 million fully guaranteed.
According to OverTheCap, the Rams had to spread the cap hit across three seasons, even though Floyd’s deal is only a one-year deal. It’s essentially a three-year deal with the final two years automatically voided."
Leonard Floyd is being asked to do a lot in Los Angeles
This is how one knows just how miserable of a financial situation the Rams are in. They had to make considerable additions to the contract in order to make it work. A contract that cost just $13 million. They certainly are pinning their hopes on Floyd. He isn't going to come in as a rotational guy. L.A. will need him to be much more than what he was in Chicago.
Dante Fowler left for Atlanta and Clay Matthews was cut. This has left the team's edge rush in a state of severe depth concerns. Without any money or a 1st round pick, the team looked to Floyd to answer their prayed. Maybe playing with Aaron Donald might finally unlock his potential.
Well considering he played next to Akiem Hicks and Khalil Mack the past two years and had seven sacks total? They best not hold their breath.
