Getty Chase Young shows his emotions after a sack.
Former Washington Commanders second overall pick Chase Young, offloaded by the Commanders at the 2023 trade deadline, has yet to match the productivity of his Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2020.
But signing Young, a defensive lineman, to a one-year deal “might make sense” for the Minnesota Vikings, according to Pro Football Network.
“Chase Young was dominant during the first half of the 2023 season, showing why the Washington Commanders made him the second overall pick of the 2020 draft,” Dallas Robinson wrote in a February 22 story predicting one free agent signing for each NFL team. But he slowed down after being traded to the San Francisco 49ers, and his market value remains unclear.
“In the spirit of their ‘competitive rebuild,’ the Vikings have been willing to take chances on younger players, doing so with pass rusher Marcus Davenport and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. last season. Minnesota may not want to sign Young to a long-term deal. But a one-year pact for a defensive end who’s not yet 25 years old might make sense.”
Young, who will turn 25 in April, is projected to land a one-year, $13 million deal when he becomes a free agent in March, according to Spotrac.
Since making 7.5 sacks during his rookie year, Young has only 9.0 from 2021 through 2023. But he missed 22 games after tearing the ACL in his right knee in November 2021. He started six games for the Commanders in 2023, making 5.0 sacks, but was relegated to a backup role in nine games for the 49ers, where he had 2.5 sacks and only 10 total tackles.
Other Teams Could Vie for Chase Young in Free Agency
Young will likely have numerous suitors when free agency opens in March.
Pro Football Network’s Tony Catalina contradicted his colleague by predicting one of the Vikings’ NFC North rivals, the Detroit Lions, would bring in Young to complement third-year Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson.
“Despite the lack of consistent production, the tools and ability remain there for Young, and if he is put into the right situation, he could thrive in the way many had hoped when he was first drafted,” Catalina wrote in a February 26 story. “If he is paired with Hutchinson, he may see far more favorable matchups, allowing for him to be even more productive with Detroit.”
Meanwhile, Pro Football Focus predicted the Baltimore Ravens or Houston Texans as the most likely destination for Young, whom PFF ranked as the 28th best free agent edge rusher.
“It looks like a one-year mercenary deal may still be favorable before he looks to cash in on a multi-year contract,” Brad Spielberger wrote on February 22. Baltimore has cycled through these types of pass rushers in recent years, and Texans general manager Nick Caserio has taken this approach in free agency since he arrived in Houston.”
And ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler predicted yet another NFC North team would sign Young and reunite with Montez Sweat, his former teammate in Washington.
“Chicago, in its efforts to bolster its pass rush, evaluated both Young and Sweat in the months leading up to the deadline,” Fowler wrote in January. “Sweat landed a four-year, $98 million extension with the Bears, who could spend more money in free agency to sign a pass-rusher such as Young.”
Commanders Need Pass Rushers
With the Commanders trading Young and Sweat at the deadline last year, a need for a high-level pass rusher is at an all-time high.
The Commanders averaged just 2.3 sacks per game in 2023, ranking 26th in the NFL. Their last three games of the season saw them average just 0.3 per game.
For a defense that allowed the most passing yards and points per game, defensive help is a must. Bringing in pass rushers would allow them to get to the quarterback faster and slow down opposing teams’ passing games
With over $80 million in cap space this offseason, the Commanders will have multiple options to find one.