Hours after reportedly dealing Montez Sweat, the Commanders have also reportedly parted ways with their other pending free agent on the other edge.
Per Adam Schefter and multiple reports, Washington is dealing Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2024 third-round pick.
Young is in the final season of his rookie deal, and has five sacks, nine QB hits, and six tackles for loss this season, all three totals second on the team behind Sweat. The Commanders had declined to pick up his fifth-year option last offseason, though, as knee injuries and setbacks limited the 2020 No. 2 overall pick and Defensive Rookie of the Year to just 12 games and 1.5 sacks in 2021 and 2022.
He also missed most of the preseason and one regular-season game dealing with what the team termed a stinger suffered in the first preseason game, but has rounded back into the form that saw him win DROY in 2020 with 7.5 sacks.
Young will now spend the rest of the year on a defensive line that already boasts 1, going to the Niners hours after the Commanders dealt Sweat to Chicago for a second-round pick – and per ESPN’s Dianna Russini, “Washington ownership had a strong hand in deciding to deal both Chase Young and Montez Sweat,” as “many in the building wanted to keep them because they believe in this team, but in the end, it’s about the future for the Commanders.”
This is a developing story – stay tuned to 106.7 The Fan and The Team 980 through Tuesday’s 4 p.m. trade deadline for more!