The Rams announced Friday they have released Leonard Floyd, the outside linebacker who was the leading pass rusher on the team’s injury-ravaged defense last season.
The move continues the salary purge that began when linebacker Bobby Wagner and the Rams agreed to part ways in February.
Floyd’s release will save the Rams $3 million against the NFL salary cap in 2023, after Wagner’s release saved them $5 million, reducing their current cap deficit to $13.9 million, according to OverTheCap.com.
More payroll cuts are to come, possibly including trading All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and moving wide receiver Allen Robinson, as the Rams try to get below the league’s $224.8 million limit before the start of free-agent activity Wednesday.
Speaking earlier Friday, coach Sean McVay didn’t dispute speculation about the futures of Floyd, Ramsey and Robinson, calling the players’ situations “fluid.”
But McVay and general manager Les Snead have indicated that quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald won’t be moved.
Floyd, 30, a former ninth overall draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2016, joined the Rams on a one-year, $10 million contract before the 2020 season and signed a four-year, $64 million extension before the 2021 season.
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As an edge rusher, Floyd followed up a career-high 10½ sacks in 2020 with 9½ in 2021 and 9 in 2022, the last of those leading the team in a season when Donald missed six games because of injury.
He recorded one sack of Joe Burrow, late in the first half, in the Rams’ February 2022 Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.