It’s a subject that likely won’t go away until the Chicago Bears do something. They need pass rush help. Anybody with common sense can see that. They had the fewest sacks in the league last year, and their only notable addition was DeMarcus Walker, who isn’t even a true defensive end. Maybe GM Ryan Poles wants to wait and see how Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson develop. Still, the team has stood by and watched multiple veterans like Markus Golden, Leonard Floyd, and Frank Clark get plucked by other teams. This is why the subject of Chase Young keeps coming up.
The former #2 overall pick hasn’t regained the dominant form he flashed in 2020 due to a nasty knee injury that knocked him out for all of 2021 and parts of 2022. Some wonder if he’ll ever be the same. Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders face a dilemma. They must decide if they want to pay him or Montez Sweat long-term. With Sweat being more proven recently, the obvious assumption is they will have to move on from Young. That means a trade. Thus far, they’ve resisted that urge. Yet most feel it’s only a matter of time. If the Bears are willing to take such a gamble, Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report has a fair idea of the price they’ll have to pay.
Would you do it?
Chicago Bears receive: DE Chase Young
Washington Commanders receive: 2024 second-round pick
Let’s keep in mind that the Bears traded three-time All-Pro edge-rusher Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a 2022 second-rounder and a 2023 sixth-round pick two years ago.
Washington shouldn’t expect more than what Chicago received for Mack, who came off an injury-riddled 2021 campaign but had an impressive eight-year resume prior to the Bears-Chargers deal.
Though Breer wrote that Washington is “unlikely” to trade Young, general manager Martin Mayhew may want to consider a second-round pick in exchange for the oft-injured defensive end.
Chase Young is an undeniable gamble.
Many considered him one of the next great pass rushers in the NFL. He was that dominant in college. The knee injury and his lackluster stats since returning have many wondering if he’s lost something. Still, he is only 24 years old. He should be 100% healthy. Around this time, players coming off bad knee injuries start regaining their original form. The Bears are well-equipped to take the risk. They have three 2nd round picks over the next two years. If Poles is willing to go a little on faith, this move makes sense.
If Young returns to the player he was towards the end of 2020, then the Bears would be in business. He has that rare capability to be somebody offenses must gameplan for. Chicago also has plenty of salary cap space to handle his contract issue in the next year or two. If things don’t work out, a 2nd round pick isn’t a catastrophic loss. Much of this depends on Washington. If they’re concerned about losing Young for nothing in the near future, this a deal they have to make.
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