Word Is A Possible Chicago Bears Pass Rush Option Is Getting Real
One thing to remember about the draft is it has a funny way of pushing forward possible trades when least expected. A perfect example was last year when the Philadelphia Eagles traded their second 1st round pick during the draft to Tennessee for wide receiver A.J. Brown. That move paid huge dividends. It’s a good reminder that smart teams should always monitor the market, even when the clock is ticking. That is where the Chicago Bears come in. With ten picks in this draft, including four in the first three rounds, there could be a serious opportunity to land a solid veteran player.
It seems one name is suddenly gaining traction with the draft almost at hand. Dan Graziano of ESPN revealed that the Washington Commanders are in a difficult situation regarding defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young. Both have contract issues coming up, and the team just got done paying Da’Ron Payne. It sounds like there is a serious possibility one of them could be traded, and soon.
“Another team to watch for potential trades is the Washington Commanders. Edge rusher Montez Sweat is heading into his fifth-year option season and has yet to have his contract extended beyond 2023. Fellow edge rusher Chase Young still hasn’t had his fifth-year option for 2024 exercised (the Commanders have until next week to decide whether to do it). Some wonder whether the Commanders will want to deal with a situation where, in 2024, Young is playing on his fifth-year option and Sweat on the franchise tag. So at some point, Washington might have to decide between those two players, and trading one of them could be the answer.”
It didn’t take long to get an answer on who that might be.
Nicki Jhabvala reported that the Commanders chose not to exercise the 5th-year option on Young’s rookie contract. That means 2023 is his last season with the team barring an extension. It opens the door nice and wide for a trade, and one source informed SM that the asking price is around a 2nd round pick. Remember, the Bears have two of them this year.
The Chicago Bears have plenty of reasons to like Young.
The former #2 overall pick is a freakish talent, having made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2020 with 7.5 sacks. Unfortunately, his last two seasons were marred by inconsistency and then a knee injury. He didn’t return until late last December and looked unsurprisingly rusty. It isn’t a shock to think Washington might prioritize keeping Sweat. He had eight sacks last year and a career-best 28 quarterback hits. Young hasn’t registered a sack since October of 2021. The organization seems to prefer keeping the more proven option at this point.
There is no doubt trading for Young would be a calculated risk for the Chicago Bears. Here’s the thing, though, He is still only 24 years old, is infinitely more talented than anybody on their current defensive line, and they can afford the price tag. They have the picks necessary to afford the acquisition and more than enough spending money to hand over a lucrative extension presuming he regains his old form. If the organization isn’t sold on finding pass rush help in the 2nd round, this is a trade they must pursue.