Linebacker Willie Young asked the Bears to trade him last year around the same time the team was dealing away Jon Bostic and Jared Allen, but no deal was struck and Young remains with the Bears heading into the 2016 season.
The stay could extend well beyond this year. Jason Cole of Bleacher Report and Adam Caplan of ESPN are both reporting that the Bears and Young are having discussions about a contract extension.
Young made the move from defensive end to outside linebacker under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio last season and turned in 30 tackles, 6.5 sacks and an interception while making eight starts in his 15 appearances in the lineup. He had 5.5 sacks in the final seven weeks of the season, which could be due to increased comfort in the lineup or increased distance from his 2014 torn Achilles.
Whatever the reason for the improved play, it appears to have improved Young’s feelings about staying in Chicago as well. The Bears already have Lamarr Houston and Pernell McPhee under contract beyond this season and they drafted Leonard Floyd in the first round, so they’re pretty well stocked at outside linebacker at present and it looks like they want to stay that way.
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