Young Is Close to Signing, Says Tampa Bay Coach

Millionaire quarterback Steve Young has been put on United States Football League waivers and is close to signing a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League, according to Tampa Bay Coach Leeman Bennett.

“If he clears waivers, I don’t think it’ll be too long before we do something with him,” Bennett said. “We’re in the ballpark as far as numbers are concerned.”

Young and his Los Angeles attorney, Leigh Steinberg, flew to Tampa Monday evening.

Young, whose NFL rights were obtained by Tampa Bay in a special supplemental draft last year, signed a reported $40 million contract with the USFL’s Los Angeles Express in March, 1984.

The 23-year-old former Brigham Young University star played the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Express, but has been trying to buy his way out of the contract, contending that it was violated when the USFL assumed operation of the financially strapped franchise.

Phil Krueger, assistant to Buccaneer owner Hugh Culverhouse, said last week that Tampa Bay had been discussing a possible six-year deal with Young. He said progress had been delayed because of the amount of money--reportedly between $1.5 million and $2 million--the quarterback would need to get out of his USFL contract.