In a significant move just before the trade deadline, the San Francisco 49ers have acquired defensive end Chase Young from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a third-round pick.
Sources: Former No. 2 overall pick #Commanders DE Chase Young is being traded to the #49ers. Incredible. Likely a mid-round pick in 2024.
After dealing Montez Sweat to the #Bears, Washington now trades Young to one of the NFL's best. pic.twitter.com/pKuCkIw39U
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 31, 2023
Trade II: Washington is dealing DE Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers for a third-round pick, per sources.
On the trade deadline day, Washington now has moved on from Young and Montez Sweat, once viewed as foundational players.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2023
Young must pass a physical for the deal to be finalized.
Washington drafted Young (6-5, 264) out of Ohio State with the No. 2 overall pick in 2020. He has registered 15 tackles, six tackles for a loss, nine quarterback hits, five sacks, and a pass defensed through seven game appearances (six starts) this season, per Pro Football Reference.
Young, 24, has recorded 90 tackles, 19 tackles for a loss, 26 quarterback hits, 14 sacks, eight passes defensed, and six forced fumbles in 34 game appearances (32 starts) through his four NFL seasons.
An exceptional rookie season performance in 2020 earned Young a Pro Bowl selection and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Notably, this trade reunites him with 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa. The two were teammates at Ohio State.
Young is slated to become a free agent in 2024, potentially making him a short-term addition for the 49ers. However, if he leaves after this season, the 49ers will recoup the draft pick they traded for him. Although, it will come a year later, in 2025.
The Niners get DE Chase Young for a 2024 third-round comp pick and if he walks after a big finish to the season, he'll likely bring back ... a 2025 third-round comp pick.
So they essentially moved a comp pick back a year for half-a-season of Chase Young.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 31, 2023
Just yesterday, head coach Kyle Shanahan downplayed the 49ers' chances of making a significant move ahead of the trade deadline.
"I know John's (general manager John Lynch) been working on that for the last month," Shanahan said via a conference call. "He's talking with everyone, as every team does right now. If we think there is a chance to improve us, we'll do it. It doesn't sound like there's a lot of options out there, but that doesn't mean, for sure, no."
The 49ers have been active ahead of the trade deadline in recent years. They brought in wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders in 2019, defensive end Jordan Willis in 2020, defensive end Charles Omenihu in 2021, and acquired running back Christian McCaffrey just last year. Earlier this month, San Francisco traded for former Denver Broncos pass rusher Randy Gregory.
