Trade Pitch Lands Bears $35 Million Pro-Bowl DE, Former DROY

The Chicago Bears are poised to pursue a high-upside edge defender.

[{"selector":"#anim-59dbcc68-3488-4119-9306-b530c3061f60 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.21115719319647%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"fill":"forwards"}]

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young is in the final year of his four-year, $35 million contract.

[{"selector":"#anim-81c8b241-7a66-4257-bba9-cfdcb8cc6006 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.21115719319647%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"fill":"forwards"}]

The Commanders passed on Young's fifth-year option last offseason after choosing him second overall in 2020.

[{"selector":"#anim-cf8a4b6f-9870-4c94-b16c-f89303e139e7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-52.6367188342474%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"fill":"forwards"}]

That uncommon choice suggests Washington is seriously considering a future without Young, making the former Defensive Rookie of the Year a strong trade prospect before the October 31 deadline.

[{"selector":"#anim-055474ce-9e9c-4ae1-858c-e99a02296f29 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"fill":"forwards"}]

Young should go to Chicago for two reasons. After a league-worst 20 sacks in 2022, the Bears need an edge boost.

[{"selector":"#anim-a2ecd132-8cbd-4800-a983-f56ca5318a0a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.21115719319647%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"fill":"forwards"}]

Second, Chicago has almost $28.4 million in salary cap room, enough to absorb Young's rookie contract's final season and extend him long-term.

[{"selector":"#anim-9f5b6a83-a0d9-415d-9d3b-36c6fd36cf0d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.21115719319647%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"fill":"forwards"}]

On Saturday, July 29, Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine proposed that the Bears trade starting defensive end Trevis Gipson,

[{"selector":"#anim-0310429e-3cf2-49ea-8834-c5495cee64be [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-51.9775391403101%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"fill":"forwards"}]

wideout and return specialist Velus Jones Jr., and the team's 2024 third-round pick for Young's rights.

[{"selector":"#anim-3b0105df-1664-4215-b306-990594826e1c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-5.876617139356435%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"fill":"forwards"}]

FOR MORE WEBSTORIES

[{"selector":"#anim-8627f7da-ad04-4691-8e41-5d0076351384 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more