A surprise NFC team is being linked to Washington Commanders star defensive end Chase Young.
The 2023 NFL trade deadline is now less than 48 hours away. Washington’s standout edge rusher, on the final year of his rookie deal, has been widely mentioned as a possible trade candidate.
According to a report from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, there are talks around the league that link the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year to the Chicago Bears:
“Per a league source, there are rumors in league circles linking the Bears to Commanders pass rusher Chase Young.
It seems odd on the surface, since the two-win Bears hardly fit the profile of buyers. But this would be a long-term play for the Bears, if it happens. The Bears, who have significant cap space in 2024, would want to acquire Young and keep him, with a new contract.”
The Bears are loaded with draft capital thanks to the Carolina Panthers, who gave up a king’s ransom for the top pick in 2023 so they could draft Bryce Young. If the Bears view the Commanders star as a cornerstone piece, they definitely have the assets to make a move for him.
The Commanders surprised everybody when they declined the fifth-year option on Young’s rookie deal this past offseason. If he’s not traded, they’ll risk losing the No. 2 overall pick of 2020 for nothing in free agency.
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If they keep Young and decide to extend him after the season, the Commanders will have misplayed their hand by having to pay him top dollar instead of keeping Young under contract at a bargain price for 2024.
Entering Sunday’s contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, Young had five sacks in six games. He has 14 sacks and six forced fumbles in 33 career games.
