The Chicago Bears are in talks to extend outside linebacker Willie Young's contract, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan.
Young has one year left on his current deal that calls for him to earn $2.450 million in 2016, plus a $50,000 workout bonus.
Young, 30, converted from defensive end to outside linebacker to fit Chicago’s new 3-4 defense last season. He fared better than expected. Although Young missed the entire offseason program rehabbing from a torn left Achilles tendon, he still led the team in tackles for loss with 12 and finished second with 6.5 sacks.
“I think me being a professional, coming out of college I was always a defensive end,” Young said. “Once I got to the NFL I ended up having to be versatile. I think me just being the athlete that I am, blessed with the talents that I’ve been given, I’m just able to adapt to whatever the situation might be. In this particular case I guess it’s at another position.”
At defensive end in 2014, Young posted a career-high 10.0 sacks in his first season with the Bears.
Young played for the Detroit Lions from 2010-13.
The Bears have plenty of options at outside linebacker to complement Pernell McPhee, who is guaranteed $7 million in 2016. Not only did the club invest the ninth overall pick in Leonard Floyd, but veteran Lamarr Houston’s (team-high 8.0 sacks in 2015) base salary is $5.950 million this season. The Bears also re-signed Sam Acho to a one-year deal that contains $130,000 in guaranteed money.