Former Bears’ first-round pick Leonard Floyd signs with Bills

Even if you didn’t want to admit it, you probably hoped the Chicago Bears would give edge rusher Leonard Floyd a call this summer. The Bears selected Floyd with the ninth pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, and while his time in Chicago amounted to a collection of four underwhelming seasons, he resurrected his career with the Los Angeles Rams, totaling no less than nine sacks in each of the last three years.

The Bears’ biggest need on the roster as training camp inches closer is edge rusher. Coach Matt Eberflus hinted at OTAs that Chicago isn’t finished adding free agents, and Floyd was arguably the top pass rusher who remained unsigned.

Not anymore. Floyd is a Buffalo Bill.

Sources: The #Bills are making a late splash in free agency, agreeing to terms with former #Rams standout pass-rusher Leonard Floyd. He gets a 1-year deal after 9 sacks last season. And Buffalo adds another key player on the edge. pic.twitter.com/26il6sleMX

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 5, 2023

Perhaps a reunion was never in the cards. Floyd’s unceremonious departure would’ve made it difficult for him to return to the Chicago Bears, even though there’s been a regime change since his exit.

Some Bears fans would’ve had a hard time welcoming Floyd back. He managed just 18.5 sacks in four seasons in Chicago and often looked overmatched by bigger, stronger offensive tackles. He thrived in Los Angeles playing alongside Aaron Donald and Von Miller and is viewed by some analysts as more of a complementary pass rusher than a guy who can be a defense’s alpha on the edge.

Still, had the Bears signed him, he would’ve immediately become the team’s best pass-rush threat.

The best remaining unsigned free-agent edger rusher is Yannick Ngakoue, who, like Floyd, has been a productive sack guy over the last several seasons. He totaled 19.5 sacks over the last two years with the Las Vegas Raiders and Indianapolis Colts.