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Chicago Bears: 5 Players Who Prove Patience Matters

By Erik Lambert

Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) and tackle Charles Leno (72) congratulate each other as they scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) and tackle Charles Leno (72) congratulate each other as they scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox talks with outside linebacker Willie Young (97) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox talks with outside linebacker Willie Young (97) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Willie Young

If any player on the Bears roster can say he came almost out of nowhere, it’s Willie Young. Here was a 7th round pick who battled his way to the starting job in Detroit by his fourth season. Then he accepted a rather cheap three-year contract in Chicago worth $9 million in hopes he might be able to turn into something more. Two years and 16.5 sacks later and the team gives him a two-year extension that will give him a nice bump in pay.

Keep in mind this comes after a storm of trade speculation dating back to last season when news came out the team was switching to a 3-4 defense, something Young wasn’t happy about. It meant he had to switch to outside linebacker, which even he felt was doomed to fail. Time has proven otherwise, and it was the patience and teaching of the Bears coaches that made it happen.

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