Bears reunion with former first-round pick could solve team’s biggest problem

The Chicago Bears entered the NFL offseason with a couple of obvious holes, and it seemed only natural for them to fill them through free agency or the NFL Draft.

The most glaring need of all was the pass rush, as the Bears managed just 35 sacks as a team in 2025. Montez Sweat led the way with 10 sacks, but Gervon Dexter was the only other player with more than five (he finished with six).

But Chicago did not sign any edge rushers in the initial run of free agency, nor did it select any in the draft.

It was truly a puzzling turn of events for the Bears, and it has many wondering what exactly Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson are doing. Why would they not address the club’s biggest need?

Well, the good news is that there are still a handful of serviceable veteran pass rushers available, and one familiar name could represent a solution for the squad: Leonard Floyd.

Chicago Bears should reunite with Leonard Floyd

Chicago originally selected Floyd with the ninth overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft. He had a very strong rookie campaign, registering 33 tackles and seven sacks, but his production dipped the next few years, resulting in the Bears allowing him to walk via free agency.

The University of Georgia product then broke out with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, racking up 55 tackles and 10.5 sacks. Floyd would go on to become one of the most underrated pass rushers in football the next five seasons, finishing with no less than 8.5 sacks between 2020 and 2024.

Floyd’s output certainly took a step back last year, however, as he managed just 19 tackles and 3.5 sacks with the Atlanta Falcons. Now 33 years old, it’s entirely possible that Floyd has hit a wall, which is why he is still available in free agency.

But it absolutely wouldn’t hurt the Bears to give him a chance on a cheap one-year contract.

When he is right, Floyd has proven to be one of the most prolific edge rushers in the league. Yes, he’s older now, but it’s not like Chicago has any depth behind Sweat and Austin Booker that would be any better than Floyd in 2026.

The Bears really need to bring in a veteran to stabilize their front seven, and Floyd could be just the player they need.

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