The Los Angeles Rams organization has undergone a lot of changes this offseason, both on and off the field. Not only are the Rams set to move into their new home, SoFi Stadium, this offseason, which is coupled with a complete rebrand with new logos and uniforms, but there also has been a ton of personnel changes to the roster and coaching staff.
Among the additions is a new outside linebacker in Leonard Floyd, who signed a one-year deal, and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who will be replacing Wade Phillips.
Floyd spent the first four seasons with the Chicago Bears, where Staley served as the outside linebackers coach in 2017 and 2018.
Staley was relatively unknown when the Rams announced they were hiring him to replace Phillips, although he has coached under a defensive genius in Vic Fangio the last few seasons. Floyd played for both, of course, so he is well-aware of what Staley brings to the table for L.A.
When speaking to the media for the first time, Floyd discussed why he is happy to be reunited with Staley, via Greg Beacham of the Associated Press:
New Rams LB Leonard Floyd on defensive coordinator Brandon Staley: "He's very energetic. I can't think of a day when he wasn't ready to go. He'll have you ready to play. It's just the way words come out of his mouth. He uses them the right way and it motivates everybody."
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) May 11, 2020
Floyd is a former ninth overall pick by the Bears out of Georgia, although the start of his career has been a bit underwhelming. He is still just 27 years of age though, so the Rams are hoping they will have a similar effect on his career that they did with Dante Fowler Jr., who cashed in on a big contract with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason.
Playing alongside a talent like Aaron Donald can only help a player like Floyd, and hopefully Staley can scheme up some ways to put him in a place to be successful in his first year with the Rams.
If that is the case, then Floyd will hit free agency next offseason in a much better place than this year, and the Rams will gladly take that type of production for a year on a team-friendly contract.
