The Chicago Bears could be looking to get back in the business of banking with Chase with the trade deadline looming.
“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,” wrote Mike Florio of NBC Sports on October 28. “Per a league source, there are rumors in league circles linking the Bears to Commanders pass rusher Chase Young.”
Bears Trade for Commanders’ Chase Young ‘Making Rounds’
Chase Young Effective When Healthy
Young, 24, has battled injuries in his three-plus seasons in the NFL. He missed Week 1 of this season with a neck injury. After recording 7.5 sacks as a rookie in 2020, appearing in 15 games, and earning Pro Bowl honors, Young had 1.5 sacks in 12 total appearances in 2021 and 2022.
Despite missing the season opener, Young is off to a strong start to this season with 5.0 sacks in his five games.
The Commanders (3-4) are said to be open to shopping one or both of Young or Montez Sweat.
“The Washington Commanders are listening to offers on Chase Young and Montez Sweat,” per Dianna Russini of The Athletic on October 28. “They want a second-rounder but have only received offers in the third-round range.”
In addition to holding two first-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft – theirs and that of the Carolina Panthers – the Bears also have their own second and third-round picks as well as a pair of fourth-round picks thanks to trading with the Eagles in this past draft. Perhaps they would be willing to come in over the top to land one of the game’s most talented players.
MEETING SUBJECT: SACK
MEETING LOCATION: QB
MEETING PARTICIPANTS: TEZ AND CHASE📺 #WASvsDEN | CBS pic.twitter.com/yVwrhGot4o
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 17, 2023
Bears Thinking Long-Term in Potential Chase Young Trade
“This would be a long-term play for the Bears, if it happens,” Florio wrote. “The Bears, who have significant cap space in 2024, would want to acquire Young and keep him, with a new contract.”
The Bears are set to lead the NFL with more than $96 million in cap space next offseason. Some of that could be used to lock up players like cornerback Jaylon Johnson or wide receiver Darnell Mooney, both of whom are in the final year of their rookie deals.
Johnson said the Bears and his agents were in discussions for a new deal but nothing has materialized to this point. Coincidentally, cornerback, edge rusher, and wide receiver are all critical positions. The Bears just happen to have more quality depth at both receiver and in the defensive backfield.
Chase Young Would Fill a Need for Bears
Despite spending more than $18 million in free agency on DeMarcus Walker, Rasheem Green, and (later) Yannick Ngakoue, the Bears rank 31st in the NFL with 10 sacks. Eight of them have come in the last three weeks, though.
Still, this would allow the Bears to field a pair of premier pass rushers while deploying Walker as a utility lineman, playing both outside on run downs and sliding inside on passing downs.
It would also reunite him with his former collegiate quarterback, Justin Fields if it happened.
With the NFL’s trade deadline fast approaching (October 31 at 4 p.m. ET), we won’t have to wait too long for a resolution, be it Young or even Sweat who has 5.5 sacks this season and has been healthier than Young in his career. Or, the Bears could let this season play out and pursue whichever one of them hits free agency, an invariably riskier path.