On the NFL trade deadline day, the San Francisco 49ers were quiet until just a little over an hour before the deadline. The 49ers made a trade with the Washington Commanders for edge rusher, Chase Young. This report came out just hours after the announcement that the Commanders were trading Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears. Here is all to know regarding the trade for Young, and what to expect from this move.
Chase Young Trade Details
In order to trade for Young, according to Adam Schefter, the San Francisco 49ers are sending a compensatory third-round pick to the Washington Commanders. For a third-round pick, this was a good move for the 49ers who need to start getting more sacks each game. To finish out the season, Young will cost the team just $561,000 this year. The third-round pick that the team is sending over is the one they earned for losing Ran Carthon to the Tennessee Titans and DeMeco Ryans to the Houston Texans.
The defensive end will be a free agent this season, and if it walks, there is a chance that the 49ers could earn a 2025 compensatory pick. This means this trade will even out eventually if all things go as planned. While anything can happen by next season, that is the idea of what will happen.
Former Commanders defensive end Chase Young (99) – Sergio Estrada/USA TODAY Sports
Chase Young’s Potential Impact on the 49ers
The defensive line may have not been the biggest need for San Francisco, but this move is still big for the 49ers. If all goes to plan, this will put much more pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback, which in return will make it easier on the team’s defensive backs. The potential four on the line would now be Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Hargrave, and now Young. This does not even include Randy Gregory, Drake Jackson, and Javon Kinlaw who are also in the rotation.
This season, Young has had 15 combined tackles, six tackles for loss, and nine quarterback hits, according to Pro Football Reference. He has also had five sacks this season, which is now the most by an individual player on the 49ers this season. In addition to the stats, Young is no stranger to Bosa, as the two played together at Ohio State. Already being deemed as the Buckeye Bookends reuniting in the Bay Area, this could be a big spark on the defensive line.
The 49ers defense has struggled for the past two weeks. The Minnesota Vikings’ and Cincinnati Bengals’ offense completely overpowered them. In eight weeks, the defense put up just 18 sacks, according to ESPN. With complaints regarding sacks, adding a top edge rusher is an important move for the franchise.
49ers DE Nick Bosa (97) and former Commanders DE Chase Young (99) – Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle
Chase Young a Cause for Concern?
Not long after the trade was announced, a story that numerous sources from the Washington Commanders that Young was viewed as an undisciplined player. Supposedly he developed bad habits. An example given was that he would go against his assignments in order to make splash plays, according to Michael Silver. This is where the idea that this trade is essentially a rental works out. If there are issues regarding Chase, he will be a free agent in the offseason, and the team can move on from him.
Also, important to note, in 2020, Young was the Defensive Rookie of the Year. In 2021, he tore his ACL. The 49ers are no strangers to injuries and adding a player who has had a major injury in his career is worrisome. This season, Chase has played in seven out of eight games, but looking healthy.
Former Commanders DE Chase Young (99) – Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images
The San Francisco 49ers will have their bye week this weekend, which gives Chase extra time to learn the defense and adjust to the team. This may not be the pickup most people expected, considering many thought the team would take a corner, but this is a trade that could have a high upside. The one thing to watch for is injuries, but hopefully, for the 49ers, this is a trade that improves their defense.
