NFL Trade Rumors: Commanders DE Chase Young to Bears?

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young is one of the biggest question marks heading into the 2023 season.

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young will be at the center of attention for the 2023 season. 

After Washington declined his fifth-year option, Young is in the final year of his rookie contract. 

The Commanders could go in many different directions with Young. Washington could have him play out the final year of his rookie deal and then decide what to do in the offseason, or they can trade him before or during the season to get some value back for the former No. 2 pick. 

Bleacher Report put together multiple trade packages for Young. In one of the trades, Young went to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 second-round pick. 

"Though [Albert] Breer wrote that Washington is "unlikely" to trade Young, general manager Martin Mayhew may want to consider a second-round pick in exchange for the oft-injured defensive end," Bleacher Report writes. "With several high-end defensive ends available on the free-agent market, the Commanders may be able to replace Young and his $11 million contract with a less costly veteran on a one-year deal."

For Chicago, the deal makes plenty of sense after they had a league-low 20 sacks in 2022. After trading down from the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft with the Carolina Panthers, Chicago has a bevy of early picks and can afford to take a risk on a player like Young.

Trading Young would signal that Washington doesn't believe he can't regain his form from 2020 when he won the Rookie of the Year. Since then, Young has only played in 12 games and has 1.5 sacks. 

While Young has looked good and healthy in his brief time participating in OTAs, it's too early to tell if he'll be back to his old self. If Young doesn't live up to expectations or can't stay on the field, the Commanders may have no choice but to move Young. 

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