The Chicago Bears have some needs to address this offseason, including edge rusher. While Chicago acquired stud Montez Sweat in a trade with the Washington Commanders, they’re still in need of a power rusher opposite him.
If the Bears address edge rusher in free agency, there are some big names slated to hit the open market — including Brian Burns, Josh Allen, Danielle Hunter and Chase Young.
Young played with Sweat for four years in Washington, and the duo were a potent 1-2 punch off the edge. Could a Sweat-Young reunion be in the cards for Chicago? Some NFL execs certainly believe so.
ESPN spoke to a number of NFL executives, scouts and personnel figures, and they believe the Bears will sign Young in free agency.
Washington traded its star defensive line bookends at the 2023 trade deadline, with Sweat then thriving as the Chicago Bears’ lead rusher and Young now competing for a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers.
Chicago, in its efforts to bolster its pass rush, evaluated both Young and Sweat in the months leading up to the deadline. Sweat landed a four-year, $98 million extension with the Bears, who could spend more money in free agency to sign a pass-rusher such as Young.
Young, like Sweat, was traded at the trade deadline. He landed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he totaled 2.5 sacks (on top of 5.0 with the Commanders).
Sweat made a significant impact on the Bears defense when he arrived in November. He had a career year with 12.5 sacks, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. Outside of his production, Sweat’s presence elevated the play of those around him. Sweat became the first player in NFL history to lead two teams in sacks in a season — Bears (6.0) and Commanders (6.5).
We’ll see if Young ultimately reunites with his former Commanders teammate, which would give Chicago a formidable edge rushing duo.
