May 19--Willie Young is not an outside linebacker by nature. He made that clear, and often colorfully so, on more than one occasion last season as he grinded through a position change from defensive end with the Chicago Bears. Young still knows his pass rushing prowess is his top asset. And his ability to set the edge as a run defender has been notable as well.
Yet after showing great resolve and a surge of productivity down the stretch of last season, Young may be settling into life long-term as an outside linebacker after all. According to a league source, the Bears are in discussions toward a potential extension for Young. Those contract talks were first reported by Bleacher Report.
Young is entering the final season of a three-year, $9 million deal that he signed in 2014. He led the Bears with 10 sacks in his first season in Chicago but tore the Achilles tendon in his left foot in the team's penultimate game that year. After surgery and a grueling rehabilitation process plus a challenging transition from defensive end to outside linebacker last offseason, the 30-year-old defender earned more opportunity on the field as last season progressed. Ultimately, he contributed 6 1/2 sacks as well as 47 total tackles to the Bears' defense, using his length and athleticism to be a factor.
The Bears made a bold move to enhance their pass rush on draft weekend last month, trading up two spots in the first round to select Georgia's Leonard Floyd at No. 9 overall. Still, general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox have liked the way Young has approached his business since they arrived last year. And the Bears have expressed their enthusiasm over the unique skill set Young offers.
It remains to be seen what the terms of an extension for Young would include if and when a deal is finalized. But for now, the Bears seem eager to keep him part of an outside linebackers room that also currently includes Floyd, Pernell McPhee, Lamarr Houston and Sam Acho.
