Leonard Floyd Bio
Leonard Cornilus Floyd is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds, Floyd has built his reputation as a pass-rushing outside linebacker since entering the league. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. Across his professional career, Floyd has also suited up for the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, and San Francisco 49ers, accumulating a Super Bowl championship along the way.
Early Life and Background
Leonard Cornilus Floyd was born on September 8, 1992, in Chauncey, Georgia. He grew up in middle Georgia and attended Dodge County High School in nearby Eastman, where he played football as a defensive end and tight end. Floyd also participated in track and field, competing as a thrower for the school team. At the 2011 Region 3AA Meet, he won the shot put event with a career-best throw of 14.96 meters, an early sign of the athleticism that would later define his football career.
After completing high school, Floyd attended Hargrave Military Academy for a year to take classes that met NCAA requirements. He had committed to play college football at the University of Georgia back in April 2011, and the post-graduate year helped him stay on track academically for the Bulldogs program. That blend of football, track, and disciplined preparation helped shape him into one of the top defensive prospects in the country.
Path to the NFL
Floyd arrived at the University of Georgia as a true freshman in 2013 and immediately contributed. He started eight of 13 games that season and finished with 55 tackles and a team-leading 6.5 sacks. As a sophomore, he played in 11 games and added 55 tackles, six sacks, and a fumble recovery, including a 96-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Following his junior season in 2015, in which he recorded 72 combined tackles, 4.5 sacks, three passes defended, and a fumble recovery, Floyd announced his decision to enter the 2016 NFL draft and was named Second-team All-SEC.
Floyd received an invitation to the NFL Combine, where he tested well before injuring his hamstring during the 40-yard dash. He sat out portions of the workouts and opted not to perform the bench press because of a pectoral injury, but he still ranked as a consensus first-round prospect. At Georgia’s pro day on March 16, 2016, he ran positional drills for representatives from all 32 NFL teams, adding four pounds to his frame to address concerns about his thin build. He was ranked the second-best linebacker/edge rusher in the draft by Mike Mayock and was widely viewed as a likely top-ten pick.
Leonard Floyd Career
Chicago Bears (2016–2019)
The Chicago Bears selected Floyd in the first round, ninth overall, of the 2016 NFL draft, trading with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to move up to the ninth pick. On May 27, 2016, the Bears signed him to a four-year, $15.78 million contract that included $15.33 million guaranteed and a $9.67 million signing bonus. He earned the starting left outside linebacker job out of training camp and made his debut in the season opener against the Houston Texans. Floyd finished his rookie year with 7.0 sacks, the third-most among all rookies, along with 33 combined tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a defensive touchdown, and a safety in 12 games. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team for the effort.
In his second season, Floyd recorded 4.5 sacks, 34 combined tackles, two pass deflections, and a safety before a sprained MCL and PCL in his right knee cut his year short and sent him to injured reserve in late November 2017. He bounced back in 2018 with 49 tackles, four sacks, and a pick-six against the Buffalo Bills, earning Pro Bowl alternate recognition. The Bears picked up his fifth-year option in May 2019, and he finished that final Bears season with three sacks, 40 total tackles, and a pass defended. Chicago released Floyd on March 17, 2020.
Los Angeles Rams (2020–2022)
On April 24, 2020, the Los Angeles Rams signed Floyd to a one-year, $10 million contract, and he quickly became a key piece of their pass rush. Floyd recorded his first sack as a Ram against Dak Prescott in the Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys and finished the regular season with a career-high 10.5 sacks, which earned him a $1.25 million bonus. He added two more sacks in the Wild Card Round win over the Seattle Seahawks and earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after a three-sack performance against Russell Wilson in Week 10.
On March 15, 2021, Floyd signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension with the Rams. He posted 9.5 sacks, 70 total tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble in 2021, helping Los Angeles reach Super Bowl LVI. Floyd recorded five tackles and a sack as the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20 to claim the championship. He added nine sacks and 59 total tackles in 2022 before the Rams released him on March 10, 2023.
Buffalo Bills (2023)
On June 5, 2023, Floyd signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Buffalo Bills, with incentives that could push the value to $9 million. In his lone season in Buffalo, he started 16 of 17 games and finished with 10.5 sacks, 32 total tackles, a pass defended, and a forced fumble. Floyd also made one of the season’s most memorable defensive plays when he sacked New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers just four plays into the opening game, an injury that ended Rodgers’ season.
San Francisco 49ers (2024)
On March 18, 2024, Floyd signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He started all 17 games during the 2024 season and contributed 42 tackles and 8.5 sacks as a steady edge presence. Floyd was released by the 49ers on March 12, 2025.
Atlanta Falcons (2025–Present)
On March 13, 2025, Floyd signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, marking his fifth NFL team. In his first season in Atlanta, he finished the 2025 campaign with 3.5 sacks, 19 tackles, and a pass defended. The veteran continues to provide pass-rushing depth and veteran leadership for the Falcons’ defense.
Driving Style and Strengths
Floyd is best known for his length, lean frame, and quick first step off the edge, which allow him to threaten offensive tackles around the corner. He is comfortable playing in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes, sliding between defensive end and outside linebacker, and he has produced double-digit sack totals with both the Rams and Bills. His combination of speed and length also makes him effective in pursuit on run plays and in pursuit of the sideline.
Notable Events and Milestones
Floyd’s signature moment came in Super Bowl LVI, when he helped the Los Angeles Rams defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20 to win the championship. He posted double-digit sack totals three times in his career, including 10.5 sacks with the Rams in 2020 and 10.5 sacks with the Bills in 2023, and he earned a career-high $1.25 million bonus in his first Rams season. His pick-six against the Buffalo Bills in 2018 and his opening-night takedown of Aaron Rodgers in 2023 stand out among his most dramatic career plays.
Leonard Floyd Family
Personal Life
Leonard Cornilus Floyd was raised in Chauncey, Georgia, and attended high school in nearby Eastman. He attended Hargrave Military Academy for a post-graduate year before enrolling at the University of Georgia.
2025 Season Performance
Floyd’s 2025 season was his first with the Atlanta Falcons after signing a one-year, $10 million contract in March 2025. He served as a rotational pass rusher and contributed 3.5 sacks, 19 tackles, and a pass defended across the year. His veteran presence helped stabilize an Atlanta defense that relied on his experience against opposing quarterbacks.
While his sack total was lower than in prior seasons, Floyd remained a reliable edge presence and provided leadership in the locker room for a Falcons team building toward the future. He continued to show the speed-to-power traits that have defined his career and offered scheme versatility along the defensive front. The one-year deal sets up Floyd as a pending free agent, with his next move one of the storylines to watch in the next league year.
