SANTA CLARA — Leonard Floyd, who signed a two-year, $20 million 49ers contract this offseason, appears to be set for a significant role on San Francisco’s revamped defensive front.
Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek explained Wednesday why the veteran pass rusher was a priority free agent for the 49ers
“The experience he brings to the table through the different schemes and the different places that he has played,” Kocurek said. “You can tell that he’s a pro’s pro. And then the athleticism, the explosion and the length. His ability to cover ground quickly, his knowledge as a pass rusher and understanding of how to get to the quarterback.”
The 49ers have been looking for an edge rusher to play opposite of Nick Bosa since Dee Ford’s San Francisco tenure came to a premature end in the middle of the 2021 season due to a lingering neck injury.
Floyd has a proven track record but also comes highly recommended by former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, who took a role with the 49ers during the offseason. The newly anointed assistant head coach has a history with Floyd from their time together with the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams, and it made an even bigger believer out of Kocurek.
“We connected on it,” Kocurek said of his conversations with Staley. “Just hearing the conviction on Brandon’s side of it. The player, the person, the love for the game and the skill set. Obviously it draws you more into it when you get the full picture. The endorsement that Brandon gave was huge in the evaluation process.”
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