Can we resign Leonard Floyd already?

[TheTackle]

Lots of good points, but I have a hard time reading posts that don’t recognise just how well Floyd has played up until now. He’s been a great addition. Better than Fowler in nearly every single way if you prefer you LBs to be athletic, rugged, physical and technically sound. He is our best LB this season and to my mind would have been last year too based on his performances so far

Granted we can’t sign everyone next offseason which is why I wonder if an extension now might be worked out. Does he want to carry on playing for Staley? If so, what would he concede to make it happen?

He was a good player in Chicago so this is not a flash in the pan. He is clearly a well suited to 3-4 SLB in our scheme and so, he looks like solid money which is, all said and done, the key to any long term contract. The guy is built like an oak

 

[kurtfaulk]

He’s been a great addition. Better than Fowler in nearly every single way

this is all you needed to post.

.

 

[oldnotdead]

He was brought in by Staley who knows him well. I have never seen this as a one-year rental. He's played well, and had Staley played the defense aggressively as he did Monday earlier in the season I think his production would have been much better. He and others were hamstrung by the extremely soft scheme Staley used until Monday. Despite those limitations, he has played well and is worthy of an extension. Once Lewis is a full-time player I think both Floyd and AD will show increases in their production.

I have always seen Floyd as a 8-10 sack JACK LB and said as much when he was signed. in 2017 on 55% of the snaps he had 5.5 sacks. He's already matched or exceeded his sack total for the past two years. I view him as an upgrade to Fowler whom I liked. Leonard is just far more versatile so he brings more to the table. If Staley wants he can have him drop into a SAM position and blitz a DB or LB. Dropping is something Fowler proved he was unable to do. Fowler is just a positional DE best suited for a 4-3 scheme.

The issue will be how much will he get paid and for how long. I could easily see a 3 year deal averaging probably in the $12-$13M per year range. Again as I always say it's in the guaranteed money not to top $$ amount. So I would expect it to be in the $43M range for 3 years with about $12-$13M guaranteed. This would give the Rams an out after 2022 as a contingency.

They are already paying him $10M and Brockers who he has outplayed is getting over $6M. So the net increase won't be as steep as it seems especially since Brockers probably won't be on the team next year. No hurry it will get done.

 

[Ellard80]

yeah its only been 7 games n stuff

 

[simonblaze]

Floyd has been alright, his pass rush produced last week but previously has had a LOT of pass rush attempts without a lot of success. I can see someone giving Floyd the Fowler treatment and break the bank on him tho in the offseason...

 

[PhillyRam]

Floyd has been alright, his pass rush produced last week but previously has had a LOT of pass rush attempts without a lot of success. I can see someone giving Floyd the Fowler treatment and break the bank on him tho in the offseason...

I will say he is a good all around OLB. Seems smart in diagnosing plays and disciplined in holding the edge. Just a good run defender overall. And he is a slightly above avg pass rusher. Not great, but not invisible like Ebukam.

 

[jrry32]

Depends on the cost. He's a well-rounded player, but he's not a good enough pass rusher to throw a ton of money at him.

 

[PhillyRam]

Depends on the cost. He's a well-rounded player, but he's not a good enough pass rusher to throw a ton of money at him.

Yeah if you could get him at $8M a yr and a low cap number next yr for sure, maybe. Although if he has a good 2nd half he will get more. Maybe you can give him an incentive laden contract that he would accept if he wants to stay.

Key will be the cap number needs to be around $200M to have a shot unless you dump Whitworth and Brockers and restructure Donald and Goff.

Maybe they go all in and restructure those guys and try to keep everyone... If that's even possible. Would create another big cap crunch in a year or two.

 

[Neil039]

I’d rather keep John Johnson. Floyd has been playing well but he’s not the QB of the defense.

However OLB is a much thinner position for the Rams than Safety is.

That’s the it! Johnson is a way more important piece of the success puzzle for the Rams defense. Floyd is playing well. If he’s going to get over paid let that happen to another team.

Words getting out that if an outside pass rusher wants a solid season, they need to play with AD. Meaning: Floyd is replaceable, don’t think JJ will be.

 

[FarNorth]

That’s the it! Johnson is a way more important piece of the success puzzle for the Rams defense. Floyd is playing well. If he’s going to get over paid let that happen to another team.

Words getting out that if an outside pass rusher wants a solid season, they need to play with AD. Meaning: Floyd is replaceable, don’t think JJ will be.

JJ is likely less replaceable with Burgess going down. Rams won't get to break Burgess in and see if he could start at safety next year.

But I don't think it will easy to replace Floyd either. Of course Rams may have to if he gets priced out of their cap level. Just not sure we're going to find another linebacker to play as well as Floyd that may be available or not without spending a lot anyway.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

why are rams down on JJ?.... is it just because what he is gonna cost?.....

I don’t know if the Rams are down on him. During the MNF telecast, they referenced how strongly the coaches feel about Johnson, especially Staley.

Many here speculated that with JJ coming off a big injury and, the money that he is likely to command that the Rams have been drafting to cover his loss. Money, then Rapp, Burgess, Fuller, Scott, and the various free agents that Les finds seems to make fans feel that JJ is expendable.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Floyd's play in Chicago and Foster's in Atlanta, combined with their play on a line with AD, may make gms realize the situation and maybe Floyd doesn't get offered a huge contract.

 

[FrantikRam]

This will be an interesting offseason. We may see a lot of one year contracts, which sucks for players.

A reduced cap could really suck for both sides. Players take a big risk with injury if they take a one year deal. Star players will have fewer options. Good teams will struggle to retain even mid tier free agents if they are already near the cap.

I wonder if a guy like JJ can be convinced to sign a 4 year deal with a first year paying much less than the last three.

I was convinced JJ would be gone, but now that he's the defensive signal caller, that changes things. Plus it allows you to rotate in guys like Fuller, Hill, Rapp and Long (role players) without seeing a huge drop off in secondary play.

I think Floyd will be a Ram next year - it's going to be a simple conversation: see the contract Dante Fowler got? You won't get that because of COVID. But if you play for us next year, you'll have similar production and can get that contract next off-season - the catch is we can only pay you $7 million

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I was convinced JJ would be gone, but now that he's the defensive signal caller, that changes things. Plus it allows you to rotate in guys like Fuller, Hill, Rapp and Long (role players) without seeing a huge drop off in secondary play.

I think Floyd will be a Ram next year - it's going to be a simple conversation: see the contract Dante Fowler got? You won't get that because of COVID. But if you play for us next year, you'll have similar production and can get that contract next off-season - the catch is we can only pay you $7 million

I hope you a right

 

[PhillyRam]

I was convinced JJ would be gone, but now that he's the defensive signal caller, that changes things. Plus it allows you to rotate in guys like Fuller, Hill, Rapp and Long (role players) without seeing a huge drop off in secondary play.

I think Floyd will be a Ram next year - it's going to be a simple conversation: see the contract Dante Fowler got? You won't get that because of COVID. But if you play for us next year, you'll have similar production and can get that contract next off-season - the catch is we can only pay you $7 million

Can't keep everyone. Have to hope the cap remains closer to 200M to have a shot at all of that.

Either Whit or Havenstein have to go or both $5M savings each. Brockers gives you another $5M. That's about all you have to get rid of.

The rest has to come from restructures for Goff & Donald. So not a lot of options or wiggle room.

 

[Dz1]

Can't keep everyone. Have to hope the cap remains closer to 200M to have a shot at all of that.

Either Whit or Havenstein have to go or both $5M savings each. Brockers gives you another $5M. That's about all you have to get rid of.

The rest has to come from restructures for Goff & Donald. So not a lot of options or wiggle room.

Whit is playing at top level for a LT,he's not going anywhere in 2021, Imho at 11 mill.

Now Brock and Hav, ah maybe.

 

[PhillyRam]

Whit is playing at top level for a LT,he's not going anywhere in 2021, Imho at 11 mill.

Now Brock and Hav, ah maybe.

Agree on Whit, but thats the point. You can't keep everyone. At best it's an either or in regards to Floyd & Johnson and that's a best case scenario.

Maybe Whit restuctures and also takes a paycut to try to get a ring.

 

[PhillyRam]

Maybe a radical restructure of Goff and Donald extend them a yr make it their option so they have flexibility, but extend so you can stretch out their bonus money.

 

[Dz1]

Agree on Whit, but thats the point. You can't keep everyone. At best it's an either or in regards to Floyd & Johnson and that's a best case scenario.

Maybe Whit restuctures and also takes a paycut to try to get a ring.

Why would Whit redo his contract ?

He's playing at top level, a good LT cost 15 and maybe even up to 18 20 mill per year.Whit is a Gosh Darn Mother Fing Freak and has said he wants to keep playing, Hell Yeah Brother keep playing.....

JJ3 Rams said they were going to resign him,I really really like Burgess and Fuller, Rapp not so much,so whatever happens there what can I say.

Floyd Ah No and Hell no at his pay rate,when you have AD the Gaps etc etc need to be filled ,etc etc, Understanding Gaps imho is the most of importance .

 

[PhillyRam]

Why would Whit redo his contract ?

He's playing at top level, a good LT cost 15 and maybe even up to 18 20 mill per year.Whit is a Gosh Darn Mother Fing Freak and has said he wants to keep playing, Hell Yeah Brother keep playing.....

JJ3 Rams said they were going to resign him,I really really like Burgess and Fuller, Rapp not so much,so whatever happens there what can I say.

Floyd Ah No and Hell no at his pay rate,when you have AD the Gaps etc etc need to be filled ,etc etc, Understanding Gaps imho is the most of importance .

Again, you cant keep everyone. If you want JJ, there is a lot of work to do with the cap and that is if the cap is closer to $200M and not the min $175M.

And they don't have a lot of guys that they can shed that gets them much room.

So just speculating if Whitworth would work with them if he wants to win a title.

Otherwise JJ walks.