SANTA CLARA — Defensive end Leonard Floyd, a Super Bowl winner two years ago with the Los Angeles Rams, is joining the 49ers’ pursuit of that franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy in 30 years.
Floyd agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal some five hours into the NFL’s free agency negotiation window Monday, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Adding Floyd, an eight-year veteran, was imperative for a 49ers franchise that is hellbent on ending its championship drought and doing so with an elite defensive front. Leading that unit on the other end will be Nick Bosa, the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, while 2023 prized free agent Javon Hargrave anchors an interior that is expected to lose Arik Armstead.
That unit’s depth could be further depleted in free agency beyond Armstead’s expected released after nine seasons. Hitting the market are defensive ends Clelin Ferrell, Chase Young and Randy Gregory, and defensive tackles Javon Kinlaw, Kevin Givens and Sebastian Joseph-Day, all of whom potentially could be re-signed.
It’s been a month since the 49ers’ defense caved in overtime to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. And it’s been an annual ritual for the 49ers to seek a complement to Nick Bosa on the other side of the defensive front. This past October, the 49ers traded for Gregory and then Young, but neither produced at a high clip.
Floyd, 31, is guaranteed $12 million this season, and the deal could max out at $24 million. Such a financial commitment would seem to hinder the 49ers’ ability to make another high-priced move, such as trading with the Los Angeles Chargers for Bosa’s older brother, Joey, who’s set to make $15 million this year.
Flloyd has appeared in 121 games, recorded 58 sacks and 122 quarterback hits with four forced fumble and seven fumble recoveries. In nine playoff games, he has five sacks; none came in the Bills’ divisional-round loss in January to the Chiefs.
Two years ago, Floyd recorded a third-down sack in the Rams’ Super Bowl triumph over the Cincinnati Bengals. It was 1-of-9 playoff games in his career that started as the Chicago Bears’ first-round draft pick in 2016 (No. 9 overall pick). Released by the Bears rather than play under his fifth-year option, he joined the Rams for three years before playing last season for the Buffalo Bills.
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Upon joining the Rams in 2020, Floyd played under defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who left to coach the Los Angeles Chargers and, last month, was hired to the 49ers’ staff. Staley is expected to serve as the Assistant Head Coach and help on defense, although coach Kyle Shanahan has yet to announce any staff changes, including the presumed promotion of Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator.
Talks with free agents commenced at 9 a.m. Monday, and, within minutes, news broke that backup quarterback Brandon Allen was returning to the 49ers. Five hours later, word broke about Floyd’s deal.
Other defensive ends to reportedly land deals Monday included Jonathan Greenard (Vikings; four years, $76 million), Bryce Huff (Eagles; three years, $51 million), Andrew Van Ginkel (Vikings; two years, $20 million), and Dorance Armstrong (Commanders; three years, $45 million). Top edge rushers available at the time of Floyd’s 49ers deal were Danielle Hunter (Vikings) and Jadaveon Clowney (Ravens).
