While the Bears defense as a whole wasn’t a disappointment in 2019, there were some aspects of the unit that regressed following a breakout season in 2018.
One of the biggest disappointments was the Bears’ pass rush — particularly fourth-year edge rusher Leonard Floyd, whose production didn’t live up to the expectations.
During his end-of-the-year press conference, general manager Ryan Pace reinforced his confidence in Floyd, and it doesn’t appear as if the organization is looking to part with him anytime soon. It seems more likely they could actually ink him to a long-term extension.
“We’re happy with Leonard,” Pace said. “I know the stats don’t always say that. Leonard does a lot of things that go a little undervalued. The versatility he provides, things he can do in coverage. Not a lot of outside linebackers that can provide the versatility he provides.
“Would we like more production with him? Yeah. Would he like that? Yeah. There’s a lot of things he does that we like.”
Pace pointed to his high motor and physicality, as well as his strength in playing the run game and in coverage as things he does well. That and his ability to get after the quarterback — he tied a career high for quarterback hits with 12. But he’s struggled converting those into sacks. After starting the season with two sacks against the Packers, Floyd managed just one sack in the final 15 games.
“There’s a lot of times this year he’s so close,” Pace said. “If you look at his pressures, hits in the series, they’re up there. The sack production, not so much.”
But as far as sacks go, it wasn’t just Floyd’s numbers that were down. Chicago’s entire pass rush declined. The Bears had 32 sacks, which 18 less than last season. Khalil Mack had 8.5 sacks, which was four less than the previous year.
The Bears picked up Floyd’s fifth-year option, but Pace wouldn’t get into discussions just a couple days after the season ended.
“As for his contract, we’re never going to get into those things,” Pace said. “We like Leonard, glad he’s here. Like a lot of players, does he want to play better? Yeah. Can he play better? Yeah. We’ll see going forward.”
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