Why Chuck Pagano will Finally Deliver the Leonard Floyd Breakout Year

Leonard Floyd seemed to come on strong at the end of last season, which was good to see. His late resurgence convinced GM Ryan Pace that the Chicago Bears will likely pick up the 5th year option in his rookie contract of 2020. The question is will it be a delaying tactic for a potential long-term deal or merely squeezing one more affordable season out of a decent player before seeking possible upgrades? This is where the 2019 season could prove so crucial for Floyd. To this point, one can say he's had good moments but still hasn't quite lived up to his billing as a top 10 draft pick. In three career seasons, he has just 15.5 sacks. Part of those seasons were missed with injury but his lack of production as a pass rusher at times could be frustrating. The thing is though, it's not entirely his fault. Part of why Floyd could go for stretches without a sack was his usage on the field by his defensive coordinator. Vic Fangio did so many great things in Chicago, but one that tended to fluster some was his puzzling usage of the outside linebackers. Namely the decision to drop them in coverage so often. Something that likely will change under his replacement, Chuck Pagano

Pagano is almost certain to send Leonard Floyd on the attack more often

One thing that is undeniable about Pagano is he's not afraid to attack on defense. "Wreak havoc" was the mantra he declared would be his unit's goal. That should mean far less bend-don't-break style that Fangio was known for. Few will feel this effect more than Floyd. In three years under his former coordinator, he rushed the passer on 80.12% of his pass play snaps, dropping into coverage on the remainder. During his lone year as a coordinator back in 2011 for the Baltimore Ravens? Pagano had three primary edge rushers in Terrell Suggs, Pernell McPhee, and Paul Kruger. Collectively they rushed the passer on 88.09% of their pass play snaps. That's a substantially higher rate. Now here's the kicker. Floyd was allowed to rush the passer at least 25 times in 25 career games. He has 15 sacks in those games according to Pro Football Focus. In the remaining 14 games he's played? He has four sacks. It's clear he's far more productive when he's allowed to attack the quarterback with greater consistency. He simply can't find a rhythm when asked to drop into coverage frequently. Perhaps it was a stroke of good fortune that Pagano ended up becoming his new coordinator.