Entering a contract year with the Washington Commanders, Chase Young could be on the move.
As strange as this sounds, Chase Young could be potentially on his way out of the nation's capital.
The former No. 2 overall pick of the now Washington Commanders flourished in his rookie year out of Ohio State. Labeled as essentially the next Bosa Brother coming out of Columbus, Young was every bit the emerging pass-rushing star this league can never seem to get enough of. Unfortunately, injuries and a lack of production now have him on the brink of possibly being traded.
Not to say it wouldn't serve the Commanders to keep Young around for one more year, but if the right trade partner emerges, he may be dealt. Keep an eye on one of these teams to make a move.
NFL rumors: 3 teams that need to trade for edge rusher Chase Young
Matt Eberflus could totally use another playmaker on his Chicago Bears defense
Look. I don't trust the Chicago Bears at all for Ryan Poles and Kevin Warren reasons. However, I do recognize that Matt Eberflus is a savvy defensive mind and he has assembled a pretty interesting staff around him, most notably in offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. While I didn't understand why the Bears moved back from No. 1 to not take Jalen Carter at No. 9, just go get Chase Young, please.
For better or worse, Chicago is at its best when it fully taps into being a defensive-minded football team. Although they have something interesting in third-year quarterback Justin Fields, the best counterpunch to having an emerging star under center is a dynamic pass-rusher coming off the edge. Even in down years, the Bears don't seem to have any issues generating regular pressure.
While Young may not ever live up to the hype of his rookie year or his stellar collegiate campaign at Ohio State, a change of scenery could probably do him some good. Washington is in a state of flux as a franchise with ownership changing hands. The Commanders team we see on the field in 2023 will look vastly different than the club we will see in 2024. Odds are, Young will not be a part of it.
Frankly, it serves a rebuilding team like the Bears to see if they can acquire this discounted talent.
Pete Carroll has a way to get the most out of Seattle Seahawks defensive players
One place where I know Young would be invigorated going to in a potential trade would have to be the Seattle Seahawks. For as long as Pete Carroll and John Schneider are calling the shots, this team will be well-constructed with a focus on defensive excellence. Carroll may specialize in coaching up defensive backs, but his team could really use an edge rusher, someone like a Young.
One advantage that Seattle has over teams like the Bears and the Commanders is that the Seahawks are probably a playoff team in the NFC. While I don't know if they have enough to surpass the rival San Francisco 49ers in division, it wouldn't shock me to see them make the seven-team postseason field as a Wild Card team once again. It is all about getting in for Seattle.
The other factor that makes Seattle such a great landing spot for Young is that the franchise is geographically isolated in the Pacific Northwest. He may have starred at Ohio State, but Young was a local high school product in The DMV. The pressure one faces playing for their hometown team can be insurmountable. Going to a place far away where it is all about football is a huge plus.
Don't be shocked if Young made a play or two in a big game of significance if he went to Seattle.
Dan Campbell's Detroit Lions need to go for broke and win the NFC North, man
Let's fricking go, man! I know this is a heavily NFC-centric slider, but don't tell me that it wouldn't be sweet to see Young playing off Aidan Hutchinson in the Detroit Lions' pass rush. This is a team that is expected to make the postseason, as arguably the favorites to win the NFC North. Should this team continue to progress and Jared Goff plays well, I mean, they could play for an NFC title.
As an unbiased observer, I really like what these Brand New Lions are all about. They play incredibly hard, for each other. Campbell is the real-life Ted Lasso, motivating his players to just go out and ball, man. With Campbell being in lockstep with ownership, as well as general manager Brad Holmes, I trust the Lions to make smart moves to improve their football team going forward.
Overall, Young feels like the right rotational pass-rushing piece the Lions could need to get over the top. There could be boom-or-bust potential in such a late offseason transaction, but you have to be bold if you claim to be brave. For whatever reason, I feel like Young would be able to have his best success in a critical season for him in Detroit, outside of putting it all together in Washington.
The Hutchinson-Young pass-rushing duo would be as exciting as it would be fascinating to watch.