Chicago Bears defensive end/linebacker Willie Young has been a solid pass-rusher for the team over the last two years. In that span, he has collected 16.5 sacks and 70 total tackles and has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dreary defensive picture. Entering the final season of his three-year contract, Bears fans have been wondering if 2016 would be the last that they see of Young in Chicago.
But it sounds as if Young's uncertain future is less murky than initially thought.
The two sides are reportedly in talks on a two-year extension that would keep the edge defender in the Windy City until his age-33 season. An agreement may be reached in the near future, perhaps even before training camp begins later this summer.
The Bears have made an effort to beef up the edges of its defense by signing Pernell McPhee in 2015 and trading up for Leonard Floyd in the first round of the NFL Draft last month. Despite their presence, Chicago clearly wants to keep Young in the mix. He's arguably outperformed the original three-year, $9 million deal he signed in 2014.
Young has started eight games in each of the last two seasons, appearing in 30 of a possible 32 contests. His pass-rushing skills have improved dramatically since his days with the Detroit Lions (six sacks in 46 games).
It was thought that Young was on the trading block in 2015 as the Bears transitioned for a 4-3 defense to a 3-4, moving Young from DE to OLB. But Young recorded 5.5 sacks from Weeks 9-13, convincing the franchise of his long-term value. A 2010 seventh-rounder, Young was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the 24th best edge player overall last season, proving effective against both the run and the pass.
Floyd has yet to sign his rookie deal, but the Bears will be stocked well at the edge when he does. McPhee and Lamarr Houston will count for $17.22 million of Chicago's salary cap this season. Young is slated to account for just $3.17 million. He's proven to be a value signing for the Bears.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
