The Chicago Bears may not be as inactive at the trade deadline as some believed. Word around the league is the Washington Commanders are prepared to shop one of their two pass rushers, Chase Young or Montez Sweat. They can’t afford to pay both of them new contracts. Even though the Bears are 2-5, it still seems to make sense they should at least have interest in one of them. They sorely need pass rush help, and either would be an instant upgrade to what they have.
Well, GM Ryan Poles might feel the same way. He’s never been shy about being aggressive this time of year. Chase Claypool proved that last October. While that didn’t go as planned, it doesn’t seem to have scared him away from the market. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk proved that when he revealed a prominent rumor going around that Chicago is deeply interested in Young.
“Last year at the trading deadline, the Bears gave up a second-round pick for Steelers receiver Chase Claypool. This year, the Bears could be chasing another Chase.
Per a league source, there are rumors in league circles linking the Bears to Commanders pass rusher Chase Young.
It seems odd on the surface, since the two-win Bears hardly fit the profile of buyers. But this would be a long-term play for the Bears, if it happens. The Bears, who have significant cap space in 2024, would want to acquire Young and keep him, with a new contract.”
Chase Young would be a gamble but a worthwhile one.
The former #2 overall pick seems fully healed from the knee injury that sidelined him for much of 2021 and most of 2022. He has five sacks in six games and is among the league leaders in pressures. He’s a freakish athlete with the exact build and athleticism the Bears look for in their defensive ends. There is no question he would be an immediate upgrade to their defensive line. A rotation of him, Yannick Ngakoue, and DeMarcus Walker would be hard to deal with. As always, it comes down to compensation.
Most reports indicate Washington wants a 2nd round pick for him. The Bears can give them that. They have two 1st round picks, so the price isn’t as steep for them as it would be for others. However, Chicago does have leverage knowing Chase Young is likely a free agent in March. Maybe they can haggle the Commanders down to a 3rd round pick. The key will be the new contract Young obviously wants. That too won’t be a problem with the Bears having well over $100 million in cap space next spring.
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It is a move that makes sense from every angle, provided Poles doesn’t overpay to make it happen.
