Chase Young made his San Francisco 49ers debut on Sunday. Young was traded on Oct. 31 from the Washington Commanders for a third-round compensatory draft pick.
Wearing the No. 92, Young started his 49ers tenure joining in the 49ers’ custom boombox walkout. All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams led the fray as usual but then turned around to introduce the 49ers’ newest addition, Chase Young.
An excited Young dapped up Deebo Samuel and danced with the front group.
On the field, Young made his presence felt immediately, sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Young beat his man off the edge just as his new pass rushing-mate Nick Bosa got past his.
Lawrence tried to evade the pressure but got sandwiched by Young and Bosa before fumbling the football.
Chase Young got credited with a half-a-sack. He played 35 defensive snaps and one on special teams in San Francisco’s 34-3 win.
Chase Young tenure with Washington soured
Young was the second overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He joined Washington as the hometown kid, growing up in Suburban Maryland just a few miles from the Commanders’ home stadium, FedEx Field, in Landover, Maryland.
He exploded on the scene, winning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year with 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, three recoveries, and a defensive touchdown. However, his tenure with Washington soured after the impressive rookie season.
Young amounted to just 1.5 sacks in nine games during his second season. His season got cut short by a torn ACL and ruptured patella tendon. His rehab progress appeared slowed, costing him to miss 14 games the following season in 2022.
During the offseason, the Commanders declined a fifth-year option for Young in 2024, making him a potential free agent after the 2023 season. He suffered a stinger in the first preseason game, forcing him to miss the final two preseason games and Washington’s regular season opener.
However, Young returned in Week 2, accumulating five sacks in seven games. Despite the strong start, the Commanders traded Young ahead of the NFL’s Halloween trade deadline. Young got traded just hours after Washington traded fellow defensive end Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 second-round draft pick.
Chase Young in a building with winners
Young noted the initial differences in the 49ers and Commanders organization.
“Just the culture, the vibe, it’s a lot different,” Young said, per Scott Abraham of ABC7 News. “I definitely know I’m in a building with winners.”
Young noted the players, spirit in the locker room, and with the coaches were different in San Francisco.
Young’s words drew the ire of one of his former Washington teammates, Logan Thomas, but there is no denying the 49ers have been more successful in recent years.
The 49ers are in first place of the NFC West with a 6-3 record. San Francisco has appeared in three of the last four NFC Championship Games. The team currently constructed is a perennial Super Bowl contender under head coach Kyle Shanahan, another Washington castoff.
Judging by his first week in a new place, Young is enjoying his time more in San Francisco.
