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Bears rookie Floyd will 'keep eating until they tell me to stop'

Dale Zanine / USA TODAY Sports

It's been no secret that Leonard Floyd would have to add size to successfully make the jump to football's highest level.

The Chicago Bears pass-rusher, selected No. 9 overall in this year's draft, checked into this year's NFL Scouting Combine at 6-foot-6 and 244 pounds.

While such a frame isn't far off the ideal size for players at his position, he likely only managed to bulk up for that particular event. Georgia's official website listed him at 231 pounds during his junior season, and it's possible he played at an even lighter weight.

Floyd confirmed Thursday that he's doing what he can to put on a few pounds ahead of his rookie training camp next month.

"I have to eat like every few hours, get something down," Floyd said in an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "The defensive coordinator told me as long as I eat healthy and whatever weight I weigh, that's what I weigh. He really told me it just comes down (to) mindset and how you attack the game."

Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio conceded after the draft that Floyd would likely hit the field weighing somewhere between 230 and 235 pounds. Whether he's reached that mark or not, he intends to continue with his current diet until told otherwise.

"I'm going to keep eating until they tell me to stop," Floyd added. "I'm actually gaining. I'm gaining a few pounds every week."

A strong preseason showing should give Floyd every opportunity to earn a lead pass-rush role among a group of outside linebackers that already includes Pernell McPhee, Lamarr Houston, and Willie Young.

The 23-year-old racked up 17 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss over his three seasons at Georgia.

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