The Chicago Bears’ regular season will be here before you know it. As we approach the September 13th season opener, we at BGO are doing a preview of each player on the roster. Up next, defensive end/outside linebacker Willie Young.
It is safe to say that the Bears struggled defensively in 2014. They allowed the third most total yardage in the entire league (377.1 per game), while allowing the second most points (27.6 per game). From the defensive line to the secondary, the Bears’ defense struggled mightily all season long.
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One of the only bright spots on the entire unit was Young, who joined the team as a free agent last offseason. In his first season in Chicago, Young finished with 29 total tackles and 10 sacks. He was the only Bears’ defender who was able to get pressure on the quarterback all season long.
As great as Young looked last year, it is fair to wonder how legitimate his production was. In his four years with the Detroit Lions before he joined the Bears, Young had only six career sacks, including only three in 2013 when he started 15 games.
The Bears did appear to allow Young to rush the passer more freely last season than the Lions ever did. Maybe just cutting him loose after the quarterback was all Young needed, but maybe his 2014 production was a bit of an aberration as well. Whether his new-found success will continue or not is hard to say, but Young certainly showed an impressive ability to rush the quarterback last season.
Unfortunately, last season was not all great for Young. In the second to last game of the year, Young suffered a torn left Achilles tendon. The Bears placed Young on Injured Reserve after the injury, and he has spent the off season recovery from his injury.
It is very tough to say how far away Young is from competing. However, according to Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald, earlier this month in OTAs Young (along with fellow injured defensive end Lamarr Houston) “did basic individual work on the side under the watchful eyes of the training staff.” Also according to LeGere, head coach John Fox considered Young “week-to-week.”
What To Expect From Willie Young in 2015
On top of recovering from a significant injury, Young is going through a position change this off season, as new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is bringing his 3-4 defense to Chicago. With the change in defensive scheme, Young will now considered an outside linebacker. Despite the position change, his main responsibility will remain the same; get pressure on the quarterback.
July 28, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio looks on during training camp at the Marie P. DeBartolo Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
At 6-foot-5, 251 pounds with a nice speed-centric pass rushing arsenal, Young has the right size and skill set to make a successful transition. As an outside linebacker, Young may be able to use his speed and quickness even more than he did with his hand in the ground. Dropping into coverage may be an issue for Young at times, but his main priority will still be to get to the quarterback.
Fangio has had a ton of success with outside pass rushers in the past, and while I am not saying that Young will become Aldon Smith, I think he has a chance to be even better as a 3-4 outside linebacker than he was before. Fangio will undoubtedly use creative ways to give Young a clear route to the quarterback, and he has the speed and overall skill set to make an impact.
I am sure there will be bumps in the road at times. Young has played the down defensive end position his entire career, and expecting him to make a perfectly smooth transition would be a mistake. That being said, he has the skills to make an impact as an outside linebacker.
Assuming his return from injury goes well, I think Young is a good bet to repeat on his success from last season.
Next: What Can Bears Expect From Rookie WR Kevin White