NFL Rumors: Leonard Floyd's 5th-Year Contract Option Picked Up by Bears

The Chicago Bears reportedly picked up the fifth-year option on linebacker Leonard Floyd's contract Wednesday, according to ESPN's Field Yates.

Floyd's deal now runs through 2020, and he is set to make $13.2 million in its final year, per Spotrac.

Since Chicago selected him No. 9 overall in 2016 out of Georgia, Floyd has registered 15.5 sacks in three seasons, including four in 2018.

While Floyd's sack numbers have decreased in each of his NFL seasons, going from seven to 4.5 to four, he was more effective than ever in 2018. A big reason for that is the fact that he played in all 16 games for the first time after he missed 10 contests over his first two seasons.

Floyd set career highs last year with 47 tackles and nine tackles for loss, and he recorded the first interception of his career and returned it for a touchdown.

Khalil Mack's arrival meant Floyd didn't have to provide as much of a pass-rushing presence, but he seemingly did become a better all-around player, especially in pass coverage.

Since the Bears didn't do much to change their defense during the offseason, however, head coach Matt Nagy will likely look for a bit more pass-rushing production out of Floyd in 2019. Aside from Mack's 12.5 sacks and Akiem Hicks' 7.5, no other Bears player had more than five sacks last season.

Chicago still finished tied for third in sacks thanks to a by-committee approach, but the Bears would undoubtedly benefit if Floyd became a more consistent threat off the edge, which would lessen the burden on Mack.

After being a key part of a unit that ranked third in the NFL in total defense and first in points allowed last season, Floyd will look to improve in 2019 and 2020 in hopes of landing a big-money extension or a huge free-agent contract.