As the NFL trade deadline approaches, speculation swirls around the future of Chase Young, the dynamic defensive end for the Washington Commanders. Chase Young is one of the youngest players with an exceptional overall performance.
He signed a lucrative 4-year deal with the Commanders in 2020. But now the future of the 24-year-old with the team is uncertain. There are many rumors that the DE will wear a new NFL team jersey before October 31.
Bears chasing Chase Young
The Chicago Bears are reportedly interested in a potential trade to acquire the Washington Commanders’ star pass rusher, Chase Young, according to a report by Mike Florio.
“Per a league source, there are rumors in league circles linking the Bears to Commanders pass rusher Chase Young.”
Mike also wrote that the team will have enough cap space to sign the DE. The Bears will have around $96 million in cap space, which is the highest in the NFL.
This financial flexibility means they can easily sign Chase Young, who is in the last year of his contract with the Commanders. This season, the performance of the Bears wasn’t very good. The team struggled with their defensive line, and the same was the case last season.
The team had the second-fewest sacks in the league, which negatively impacted their defense’s performance in the 2022 season. Therefore, they need to strengthen their roster, and Chase can be the best choice to fill that gap.
There are rumors circulating that, while Chase Young is a trade target, the Commanders might entertain the idea of trading their other edge rusher, Montez Sweat, instead. The team’s objective could be to secure a favorable return for either player.
The Bears and Commanders will have to make a trade decision before the NFL trade deadline, which is Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Chase Young contract details
Chase Young was the second overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He excelled during his rookie year as a defensive player, but a serious knee injury in 2021 hampered his ability to perform at his peak, significantly impacting his overall performance.
In the 2023 season, he made a remarkable comeback with the Commanders, featuring in six games, five of which he started, and achieving an impressive five sacks.
The 24-year-old’s current contract with the Commanders is a four-year deal valued at $34,563,594, including a generous signing bonus of $22,697,160. With an average annual salary of $8,640,899, he is poised to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
As the current season nears its conclusion, this talented defensive end will be seeking a new contract, making a potential trade to the Bears a pivotal step towards securing his future in the league.
