With the 2024 NFL Free Agency around the corner, many NFL executives and personnel are figuring out what teams’ game plans are. According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, there’s a league-wide belief that the Chicago Bears will pursue former second-overall pick Chase Young if he hits Free Agency. Should the Bears pursue Young, or is it too risky?
Former Second Overall Pick Could Be Heading to the Bears
Chase Young’s Market Projection
Spotrac estimates Young’s anticipated market value is $13.6 million yearly for a new two-year contract. In contrast, during the previous offseason, the Bears inked a one-year deal worth $10.5 million with 28-year-old pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue. Why would Young, who is younger and considered to be more talented than Ngakoue, be projected for a significantly lower value? The explanation lies in health concerns – Young suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in 2021, causing him to miss a substantial portion of the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Pairing The Former Second-Overall Pick With A Familiar Face
Throughout the season, widespread rumors suggested that the Washington Commanders were willing to trade Chase Young and Montez Sweat. As the saying goes, where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and indeed, the Commanders eventually traded Young to the 49ers and Sweat to the Bears. Sweat secured a four-year, $98 million contract with $72.9 million guaranteed from the Bears. In contrast, due to health concerns, Young has not received an extension with the 49ers. If General Manager Ryan Poles decides to pursue Young in Free Agency, the fact that Young’s ex-teammate Sweat had a career year with the Bears this season might be all the convincing needed to persuade Young to join the squad.
Reasons For The Bears To Pursue Chase Young In Free Agency
The Bears are expected to add another edge rusher to pair with Montez Sweat through the draft or free agency. Regarding the draft, finding a day-one starter outside of the Bears ninth-overall pick will be hard. Talented edge rushers like Jared Verse, Dallas Turner, and Laiatu Latu will likely be gone early in the first round. That leaves Free Agency. There is a plethora of talented pass rushers hitting the market, such as Brian Burns, Josh Allen, and Danielle Hunter. With talent, there comes a price.
The Bears sit ninth among NFL teams in cap space, with 46.9 million dollars. Would the Bears be able to afford one of the more talented pass rushers? Yes! However, it’ll be in the Bears best interest to go for a cheaper player with the potential to be a premier pass rusher. Given the substantial contract already given to Sweat, opting for a cost-effective pass rusher who can complement Sweat would be a smart move. Additionally, earlier in the season, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported that the Bears were interested in trading for Young. The Bears just felt that there was a lack of “pertinent medical information” regarding Young.
Should The Bears Pursue Chase Young?
The bottom line is that the Bears are now positioned to go after Young. They first needed a proven edge rusher to help out the poor defensive front in Chicago. Now that the Bears defense has significantly improved, they can cement the edge rusher position and add the former second-overall pick in Young.
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