Sounds Like The Chase Young To Bears Idea Isn't Dead Yet

Most people know the story by now. The Chicago Bears upgraded several positions on their roster this off-season. However, edge rusher wasn't one of them. Their most notable addition was DeMarcus Walker in free agency, and he's more of a hybrid player. GM Ryan Poles didn't draft anybody. It's created a lot of concerns about the position's weakness going into 2023. Poles has said the team remains active in its search for help, even mentioning the trade market as one he's digging into. That is where the Chase Young rumors started.

Most people know the situation by now. The Washington Commanders face a big problem. They've already paid big money to two of their defensive linemen in, Jonathan Allen and Da'Ron Payne. That means they may have to sacrifice one of either Young or Montez Sweat. Considering Sweat has been more dependable in the past two seasons, the consensus is Young will be the odd man out. However, recent reports suggest they won't be moving him. Albert Breer of the MMQB left the door open, though.

He thinks they can be persuaded.

"Chase Young’s reporting to Commanders minicamp on Monday again highlights the situation Washington is in with its edge rushers. The Commanders have already paid Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen on the interior of the defensive line, and giving two more pass rushers, in Young and Montez Sweat, big contracts might be tough. So as Young tries to prove he can get healthy and back to himself again, he and Sweat might be competing for the last spot.

Teams coming out of the spring thinking they need more help may make trade calls on Young (it seems unlikely the Washington brass would move him ahead of a must-win year, but I know they’d be open to listening), and there’s a pretty surprising number of accomplished pass rushers still on the market, with Jadeveon Clowney, Justin Houston, Yannick Ngakoue and Frank Clark among the biggest names out there."

Chase Young is a gamble but a calculated one.

His natural talent is as good as anybody in the NFL. He wasn't the #2 overall pick by accident. The guy was dominant in college for one of the top programs in the country. Unfortunately, a slump in his second season and a nasty knee injury killed his stock. Now people are questioning whether he can be that sack artist. The Bears are in a position to test that theory. They need pass rush help desperately. He's a perfect fit for their system and is still only 24 years old.

Right now, the general feeling is Washington would want a 1st round pick in exchange for Chase Young. The Bears do have two of them next year, but that price is way too steep, given his recent track record. A 2nd round pick is more palatable. Perhaps Washington might try to wait until the trade deadline in October, hoping Young rebounds enough to elevate his stock. However, that carries additional risk. If he starts slow, his value would be even lower than it is now. That is why the Bears should stay on this.