Leonard Floyd X-Factor for Chicago Bears’ Pass Rush

As we all know, the addition of Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears in 2018 catapulted a defense that was already solid. With this boost, the Bears’ defense finished last season ranking third in total defense (299.7 yards per game), first against the run (80.0 ypg), first in takeaways (27 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries), first in average points allowed per game (17.7), and led the NFL with six defensive touchdowns.

Although all of these statistics are vital, the presence of Mack automatically directs everyone’s attention to one stat in particular: sacks.

The Bears were one of the best teams last season when it came to getting to the quarterback, finishing the year tied for third with 50 sacks. This is the most Chicago’s defense has had since 1987, when the team compiled an astounding 70 sacks.

Having such impressive stats last year, how can Chicago’s pass rush improve? Well, after looking over the potential starting lineup for 2019, the answer falls squarely on the shoulders of Leonard Floyd.

For every football team, the success of their defense always starts with the production up front. Of course, Mack will draw most of the attention from opposing offensive fronts, which will give Floyd numerous opportunities to beat his defender one-on-one in the pass rush.

Now entering his fourth year in the league, many would think that Floyd has had more than enough time to hone his skills and finally prove to the Bears’ brass and fans that he was well worth the investment of the ninth-overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

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Floyd showed promise in his rookie campaign, recording 7.0 sacks. Unfortunately, injuries slowed his productivity the two following years, registering 4.5 sacks and 4.0 sacks in 2017 and 2018 respectively. The silver lining around this is the fact that the University of Georgia product did play all 16 games last year, despite having a broken hand.

With a clean bill of health heading into training camp, which starts next week, Floyd is primed to pick up where he left off late last season when his health improved. Furthermore, having the luxury of starting camp with Mack—something that didn’t happen last season—will give Floyd an even better chance of beginning the 2019 season on the right foot.

Even with the arrow pointing up for Chicago’s pass rush, some think that it won’t be as great as many expect. On bearswire.usatoday.com, it is said that the Bears have the 10th-ranked pass rush entering this season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Their reason is solely because of their uncertainty of how productive Floyd will be in 2019. To a certain degree, they have a point.

If you look at some of the Bears’ defensive draft picks from the past few years, they’ve immediately made significant impacts. Roquan Smith led the team in tackles in his rookie campaign, and Eddie Jackson became an All-Pro in just his second year. Even Bilal Nichols made his presence felt. With Floyd being the elder statesman of the aforementioned players, it’s safe to say that his time has definitely come to make a splash.

Many are speculating that this is the year that Floyd has his breakout season. What will be considered a breakout season? Well, matching his total of sacks from his rookie year will be a start. Recording double-digit sacks would be even better. Considering the presence of Mack and the rest of the talent on the front seven, Floyd could potentially be the first teammate of Mack to have double-digit sacks in a season.

The closest someone ever came to reaching the 10-sack mark while playing alongside Mack was when Bruce Irvin recorded 7.0 sacks and 8.0 sacks in 2016 and 2017 respectively with the Oakland Raiders. And if you were wondering, the last time the Bears had two players with double-digit sacks in the same season was in 1993 when Pro Football Hall of Famer Richard Dent recorded 12.5, while Trace Armstrong tallied 11.5 sacks of his own.

Having a 10th-ranked pass rush isn’t something to frown at. Being in the top 10 of any productive statistic is good. However, if a 10th ranking turns out to be Chicago’s best for their pass rush, considering their high level of talent, then it could be looked upon as a disappointment.

Mack is the most important component of the Bears’ defense, but Floyd’s production will determine just how potent this pass rush will be in 2019.