The last two years for Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young has been a wash because of injuries. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft suffered a gruesome knee injury during the 2021 season that cost him eight games that season and all but three in 2022.
The uncertainty with his health going forward was a big reason that the Commanders opted to decline the fifth-year option on Chase Young’s contract. He showcased just how dominant he can be as a pass rusher, winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2020 and recording elite grades. But, things have been shaky, to say the least, after that.
After recording 7.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits as a rookie, Chase Young has 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and four quarterback hits in 12 games. It is hard to justify guaranteeing him an expensive contract for the 2024 season and his future in Washington is up in the air.
With so much money already committed to their defensive line, many have speculated if the Commanders would trade Chase Young. The team has committed long-term contracts to Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne in consecutive years and Montez Sweat has put himself in a position to land one next year.
Instead of potentially losing the former Buckeye for no compensation in free agency next year, Washington could turn him into some valuable assets in a trade. One suggested landing spot for Chase Young is the Cincinnati Bengals.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report proposed the Commanders and Bengals swap young players nearing free agency for each other to fill positions of need. Washington could trade Chase Young to Cincinnati in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick and linebacker Logan Wilson.
If the Bengals want to get over the hump and win a Super Bowl, they need some more juice in their pass rush. They had only 30 sacks last season and were picked apart by Patrick Mahomes in the AFC Championship Game as their pass rush was inconsistent in getting after him.
Cincinnati would have some major questions when it came to their long-term outlook as Chase Young would be a free agent at the same time Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are all eligible for deals as well. Figuring out how to retain all of those young stars long-term will be a challenge but one the front office and ownership certainly wouldn’t mind having.
