LA Chargers: 1 Free-agent target from each of Brandon Staley’s old teams
By Jason Reed
LA Chargers free-agent target from the Chicago Bears: Leonard Floyd
I know, I know. Leonard Floyd was with the Los Angeles Rams last season, reuniting with Staley in the process. He also could have been the free-agent target from the Rams but there is someone else I have in mind and Floyd was the only valuable free agent that played on the 2017-2018 Bears worth mentioning.
Floyd is a no-brainer if the Chargers transition to the 3-4 defense that Staley has coached his entire NFL career. The Chargers have Uchenna Nwosu as one outside linebacker and besides some rotational snaps for Joey Bosa and Kenneth Murray at the position, the Chargers do not really have any other reliable OLB.
The most important thing that the Chargers need out of this position is someone who can defend the edges on runs and drop back into pass coverage. Floyd has shown the ability to do both and that is what makes him such a good fit on this team.
If the Chargers do not convert to a 3-4 defense then there really is no need for Floyd, honestly. He is a 3-4 linebacker through and through and the Chargers would be wasting his abilities if they simply stashed him at defensive end.
Floyd and Staley appear to have a great relationship. I would be more shocked if he doesn’t sign, if the Chargers switch to a 3-4 defense, of course.