Despite not having a whole lot of salary cap space, the Chicago Bears have been active during free agency — including on the trade market.
General manager Ryan Pace has made some solid moves — adding former All-Pro pass rusher Robert Quinn and trading for quarterback Nick Foles — and he’s made some not-so-great moves — signing aging veteran tight end Jimmy Graham.
But as for what’s been Chicago’s smartest decision so far this offseason, Bleacher Report says it’s been parting ways with former first-round pick Leonard Floyd.
Leonard Floyd never lived up to his first-round billing. The former Georgia Bulldog showed promise in his 2016 rookie campaign with seven sacks in 12 games, but he hasn’t reached that total again despite playing in all 16 games in each of the past two seasons.
In 2019, the pass-rusher amassed just three sacks. Starting opposite of Khalil Mack, that’s just an unacceptable number.
Despite the Bears exercising Floyd’s fifth-year option last offseason, the writing was on the wall for Floyd considering his lack of performance and his $13.2 million salary.
The Bears released Floyd just one day before his salary became fully-guaranteed — and right before they brought in an upgrade with Quinn, who logged 11.5 sacks last season with the Cowboys.
When it came down to it, Floyd wasn’t worth the $13.2 million price tag, especially with more pressing needs on the roster heading into free agency. Not to mention, the Bears found an even better pass rusher to pair with Khalil Mack in Quinn.
Floyd, meanwhile, has found second life with the Los Angeles Rams, who signed him to a one-year deal worth $10 million — worth up to $13 million. Well, at least one team was willing to pay Floyd.
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