Here are three possible landing spots for 7.5 sack edge rusher and former San Francisco 49er, Chase Young. The former second-overall pick is probably one of the best edge rushers available in free agency. However, he hasn’t been consistent with his game on the field when it comes to playing at his best. It’s not the best start to his NFL career after suffering a torn ACL with the Washington Commanders after three and a half seasons with them.
After 14 sacks with the team, the Ohio State product was traded to the San Francisco 49ers mid-last season and he has some Super Bowl experience now. Young was picked in the 2020 draft right after Joe Burrow, having played college football at Ohio State. He’s already met with several teams like the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans. Young was imminent to sign with a team, but hasn’t just yet after meeting with these teams last week and there hasn’t been any progression.
Young is healthy now despite the injuries that kept him out of the game for 2021 and 2022, so he could still be a valuable player. The hypothetical question that remains on every team’s mind is how often could he stay healthy on the field before another injury happens. However, teams should consider asking themselves if he’s worth signing a long-term deal, barring the fact that he may crack. This should be the least of the worries, rather think if he can be the same player he was before the injuries and if he could be motivated to make plays.
Despite all of it, he ended on a high note and was playing at his peak before the loss against the Kansas City Chiefs in last season’s Super Bowl.
Three Possible Landing Spots for 7.5 Sack Edge Rusher Chase Young
Dallas Cowboys
The biggest swerve to the league and especially the Commanders would be if Chase Young signs with the Cowboys. This sounds like a nightmare, but it could make sense since most former Cowboys are reuniting with Quinn in Washington. This includes two defensive edge rushers such as Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. and Center Tyler Biadasz. The Cowboys could consider adding Young to their defensive corps playing under Mike Zimmer.
No matter what, it’s going to be difficult to replicate the same success Dallas had under Quinn by bringing all those defensive talents throughout numerous years. The Cowboys are in a hole despite signing Eric Kendricks to a one-year deal to replace recently released Leighton Vander-Esch. Dallas is lacking reliable defensive ends and adding someone like Young at his age can provide that.
It’ll probably come down to if Young is fairly desperate to find a team and if he goes cheap for Dallas on a one-year contract. This option would be available if all is lost and both sides can’t fill the void.
Baltimore Ravens
The expectation is that the Ravens will eventually lose Jadeveon Clowney to the free-agent market, assuming a team signs him. This alone puts the team needing to address their pass-rushing game and Young can be an assist for that. However, the Ravens don’t have a lot of cap space so it’ll likely be a short-term contract. The Ravens need some defensive leadership after their last season may not be the same this year.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs could use another pass-rusher after signing Defensive Tackle Chris Jones to a blockbuster contract deal. However, they have a pair of young edge rushers like Felix Anudike-Uzomah and George Karlaftis. They may be still going through some growing pains, so adding Young could give them some justice. Having Young alongside Jones could provide a scary scene for many offensive lines across the league.
