Chase Young was supposed to be a homegrown star when the Washington Commanders drafted the defensive end second overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. He looked the part in the beginning, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. But three years later, Young is no longer with the organization.
The Commanders traded Young, a native of nearby Upper Marlboro, Maryland, to the San Francisco 49ers before Tuesday’s trade deadline. Washington received a 2024 third-round compensatory pick from the 49ers — a drop-off from being the No. 2 overall pick.
Washington traded Young just hours after the team shipped fellow starting defensive end Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 second-round draft pick.
According to The Athletic’s Ben Standig, the Commanders preferred to keep Sweat, but the Bears’ offer was too good to give up. Meanwhile, people within Washington’s organization view Young’s departure as “an addition by subtraction.”
However, the team sees trading Young as a potential addition by subtraction, the source said. Even amid Young’s strong season, there are lingering concerns about his durability and on-field discipline, which is partly why Sweat was the more sought-after pass rusher in trade discussions this week, league sources said.
Chase Young freelancing on the field has been a topic during his time with Washington. His durability has drawn doubt after his rehab for a torn ACL and patella tendon in 2022.
Others have also questioned Yong’s commitment to football. A report by Michael Silver of The San Francisco Chronicle highlighted those concerns.
Young, according to several Washington coaches and other organizational sources, was viewed as an undisciplined player who developed bad habits such as deviating from assignments in an effort to make splash plays. His off-the-field priorities and commitment to his craft were often questioned, and he was viewed internally as a player who plateaued as a rookie.
Silver’s report is striking, considering he and Washington’s head coach Ron Rivera are close friends. The two are graduates of the University of California at Berkley. Silver also covered the Commanders before joining the 49ers’ beat.
There has been heavy discussion among media and fans about Young’s off-the-field commitments, especially after he passed up OTAs in the past.
Still, Young was having a bounce-back campaign this season. He had 5.0 sacks through seven games with 38 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. The 49ers already have one of the league’s most-vaunted pass rushes. Now, they’re adding Young, who could be an addition to San Francisco’s defense needs.
However, Young’s relationship with the Commanders became strained. Some could say it was fractured beyond repair. The concerns surrounding Young played a factor in his trade value. Hopefully, for Young, a change in scenery away from home could be what he needs to redirect his career.
