Chicago Bears: 3 moves to make before free agency
By Ryan Heckman
Trade or cut Leonard Floyd
In the Bears’ current scheme, the main job for Leonard Floyd is to rush the passer. That’s it. Every once and awhile, he will he asked to drop back into coverage, but that isn’t necessarily an overwhelming strength of his.
More from Da Windy City
- 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
- Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
- The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Chicago White Sox News: Erick Fedde signs two-year deal
Rushing the passer is supposed to be his strength. That’s exactly why the Bears made him a first round pick back in 2016. In four seasons though, Floyd has only managed to total a measly 18.5 sacks.
Last year, he had three — three.
If you’re going to pay a 3-4 outside linebacker over $13 million and he is expected to go get the quarterback, but isn’t doing it, what’s the point? At this stage in his tenure with the Bears, it makes the most sense for Chicago to move on.
Now, his trade value likely isn’t going to skyrocket, should he become available. If the Bears plan to cut him, then teams will simply wait for him to become a free agent. But, if Pace can manage to snag a fifth or sixth round pick for Floyd instead of cutting him for nothing, that is a huge win.
The Bears have bigger issues they’d be better off spending that money on, and letting another guy come in and fall into three sacks would make more sense than keeping Floyd around.