It was always known that eventually the clock would strike midnight on the Los Angeles Rams with all of the big money moves they made to bring in key veterans. After the awful season the team endured, it looks as if that time is now.
The Rams have already released linebacker Bobby Wagner, are reportedly shopping star cornerback Jalen Ramsey and have given permission to wide receiver Allen Robinson to seek a trade as well. And now the latest to fall victim is pass rusher Leonard Floyd.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Rams are looking to trade Floyd but if they are unable to, will release the seven-year veteran:
Rams are expected to release OLB Leonard Floyd if they cannot trade him first, per league sources. Floyd has had at least nine sacks in each of the past three seasons.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2023
With this being the likely scenario, Field Yates of ESPN outlined the money the Rams could stand to save should they release Floyd, noting that a post-June 1 designation would bring about much more financial savings in 2023:
If the Rams just release Leonard Floyd, it would create $3M in 2023 cap space, while leaving $19M in dead money.
With a post-June 1 designation, they would create $15.5M in 2023 cap space and spread the dead money out over two years (just $6.5M in 2023). https://t.co/MZOdh2QLA4
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 6, 2023
Floyd all but confirmed that his time with the Rams was done as well, taking to social media and noting that they will always have that distinction of Super Bowl champions:
Shout out to LA Super Bowl Champs for life 🐏 it’s all love 💙
— L8F4➰➰ (@Leonard90Flo) March 6, 2023
The ninth overall pick by the Chicago Bears back in 2016, Floyd really came into his own when he joined the Rams in 2020. After never eclipsing seven sacks in four years in Chicago, Floyd totaled at least nine sacks in all three years with the Rams, and this year he led the team in sacks and quarterback hits while tying for the team lead in tackles for loss.
The Rams went all-in to win that Super Bowl in 2022 and it was undoubtedly worth it. But this is now the price they must pay on that, parting with key veterans and hitting the reset button.
Rams give Allen Robinson permission to seek trade
Another Rams player who looks to be on the way out is wide receiver Allen Robinson. It was recently reported that the Rams have given permission to Robinson and his representatives to seek a trade and are willing to pay a portion of his guaranteed salary to facilitate the deal.
Robinson’s lone season with the Rams did not go the way many had hoped with him appearing in only 10 games and finishing with just 33 catches for 339 yards and three touchdowns.
