Willie Young Fighting For Spot After Career Year

Chicago signed Willie Young to a 3-year, $9 million contract back in 2014, and the Bears sure got their money’s worth last season.  The former NC State defensive end only started in 8 of the 15 games that he played in, but that didn’t stop him from recording 10 sacks.  Young was on a trajectory to be a major part of the Bears defense in 2015-16, but then he tore his achilles in week 16 of last year.  Things seemingly continued to work against Young while he was recovering.  Eight days after his injury, the Bears fired General Manager Phil Emery, who signed Young to his contract.  Then head coach John Fox hired Vic Fangio to be the defensive coordinator, and reprogram the Bears defense with a 3-4 scheme, which bumped Young to a role at outside linebacker.

It looks like Young could be on the roster bubble when teams are cut to 53 players in 2 weeks.  He’s coming off of an injury and is entering his 6th NFL season at a new position where he currently sits 5th on the depth chart.

Willie is handling the situation in typical “Willie” form.  He has always been one of my favorite players with a camera or microphone in his face.

“Man, I don’t give a (bleep) about no depth chart,” he said Tuesday on a bench outside Halas Hall. “I’m a seventh-round draft pick. I ain’t supposed to be here right now. Let’s not forget about that. So depth charts have always been irrelevant to me.” (Chicago Tribune)

Not many people can pull off referring to themselves in third person.  Young is a pro at it.

“I see a Willie Young who’s getting back to his form,” Young said. “Absolutely. I never lost my confidence. It’s just a matter of me being able now to run off, push off (my leg), fight pressure off it, sustain blocks and move fluidly. That’s the catch. That’s all I’m waiting on.  The biggest thing I can control is me coming out, balling out and doing what Willie Young been doing. Going fishing. Sacking quarterbacks. Making plays. And whatever happens after that happens after that.” (Chicago Tribune)

Young made a name for himself sacking quarterbacks and making plays at NC State.  He ranks 7th all-time in school history in sacks (20.5) and 2nd in tackles for loss (45.5).  Young also earned 2nd Team All-ACC honors in 2009 for the Wolfpack.

Whether Willie Young plays for the Bears, or another NFL team in Week 1, he will continue to be “Willie,” and continue sacking quarterbacks and making plays.