4 reasons why LA Rams may not re-sign Leonard Floyd to 2nd contract

Reason I – Make room for younger players

As the LA Rams prepared to play the 2020 NFL season, the team’s outside linebacking core consisted of Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Samson Ebukam, Jachai Polite, and Justin Lawler.  The LA Rams had yet to draft OLB Terrell Lewis. And the team had yet to add  OLB Justin Hollins from the Denver Broncos waiver wire.  While there were plenty of names, the experience to run the defense wasn’t there.

Leonard Floyd was more than a veteran. He was very good at all responsibilities for the position. He was just a player who pinned his ears back and made a beeline for the quarterback. He set the edge, covered receivers, took on blockers, stuffed the run, turned plays in, and rushed the quarterback.

He played hard on the field, and when not playing he was there for younger players to mentor, coach up, and instruct. He led the outside linebackers by example. You could see the difference he made on the likes of Obo and Justin Hollins. When rookie outside linebacker Terrell Lewis took the field opposite him in the first game against the Seattle Seahawks, they were a matched pair, bringing devastation upon quarterback Russell Wilson from both sides.

Now, the Rams’ younger players need to take off the training wheels and step up. Floyd can only take them so far. It’s their time.  There will be quite a dogfight in earning two starting roles among the completion among Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Terrell Lewis, and Justin Hollins. The Rams will likely add depth to the position via the 2021 NFL Draft.