NFL Rumors: Rams to Cut Leonard Floyd After Failing to Find Trade; Won Super Bowl 56

The Los Angeles Rams are expected to release Leonard Floyd on Friday after failing to find a trade partner for the outside linebacker, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Floyd has a $22 million cap hit for 2023. Releasing him prior to June 1 will save the Rams just $3 million, per Spotrac. The franchise would also incur a $19 million dead-cap charge for 2023.

If L.A. designates Floyd as a post-June 1 release, it would save $15.5 million in 2023 while incurring dead-cap charges of $6.5 million in 2023 and $12.5 million in 2024.

The Rams are looking to get under the 2023 salary cap, so it's no surprise Floyd is being cut. Other candidates to be released include tight end Tyler Higbee, center Brian Allen and running back Cam Akers.

The franchise is currently $16.1 million over the cap.

Floyd began his career with the Chicago Bears, which selected him ninth overall in the 2016 draft out of Georgia. He spent four seasons with the franchise before joining the Rams ahead of the 2020 season.

Floyd has spent the past three seasons of his career in L.A., helping the franchise capture the Super Bowl title in 2022.

The 30-year-old has been effective in each of his three seasons with the Rams, posting 29 sacks, one interception, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 184 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 59 quarterback hits in 50 games.

During the 2022 campaign, Floyd posted nine sacks, one fumble recovery, 59 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss and 22 quarterback hits in 17 games.

The Rams also released inside linebacker Bobby Wagner this winter, so the position could be a weak point for L.A. in 2023.

With Floyd set to be released, the Rams will have a linebacker unit next season that includes Daniel Hardy, Ernest Jones, Jake Gervase, Jake Hummel, Christian Rozeboom, Michael Hoecht and Keir Thomas.

Floyd, meanwhile, should receive a solid amount of interest on the open market given his performance over the past several seasons.