LA Rams jump on free agent ED Leonard Floyd

The LA Rams wasted no time after losing out on Fowler to NFL Free Agency, reload at OLB with former Bears Leonard Floyd

Stay calm, LA Rams fans. The sky is not quite falling on the team just yet. At least, that is the message the team’s front office hoped to send to fans and forecasters alike when the team reached an agreement to sign the former Chicago Bears’ pass rusher Leonard Floyd today. The terms of the agreement are one-year for a total contract value of up to $13 million.

The Rams benefit by the NFL Free Agency domino effect, of sorts.  The Chicago Bears wanted to sign former Rams, Miami Dolphins, and Dallas Cowboys defensive end Robert Quinn.  To do so, they needed to release edge rusher Leonard Floyd to free up cap space. Floyd now has found a new place to rush the passer and will become the newest member of the LA Rams.

Of course, it’s been a rather unsettling 72 hours for Rams fans.  Before the 2020 NFL Free Agency had even begun, the team had lost veteran safety Eric Weddle to a well-earned retirement.  The team also announced earlier in the week that it would not elect to pick up the team-option year of slot cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman‘s contract.

The LA Rams are not free falling on defense today, in fact, the team has finally added a new face to the roster which is equal to the number of Rams players signing elsewhere.

The roles of players may change, however. With Floyd, the Rams now have a much more versatile outside linebacker, and one who can fill multiple roles for the team.  So the first step of Vic Fangio’s “disguise the defense” scheme will run much more effectively than originally thought.  Outside linebacker Clay Matthews will have a far greater opportunity as the pass-rush specialist, as Floyd and Matthews have similar defensive skillsets.

Floyd has connections to the Rams’ current defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who previously coached him when he was with the Chicago Bears.  A baby step for the defense, a giant leap for the LA Rams.