Four seasons after making him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the Washington Commanders traded defensive end Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers last week.
The 49ers were on a bye last week, so we didn’t get the chance to see Young debut for his new team. On Monday, we received the first glimpse of Young in a San Francisco jersey, and he had a new number. Young was wearing the No. 92 jersey for the 49ers.
A look at new #49ers DE Chase Young in his first practice in San Francisco. pic.twitter.com/EZxaIjh6KO
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 6, 2023
After practice, Young met with the San Francisco media for his introductory press conference and was asked about his thoughts when he learned he was traded to the 49ers.
“I wasn’t mad,” Young said with a laugh. “Nah, you know, Nick (Bosa) is here. Always been a big brother to me, even at Ohio State. Just stepping in here for today. Got in here last week, just the culture. The vibe is a lot different. I definitely know that I’m in a building with winners.”
Ouch.
Young said he found out about the trade from social media. After Young was traded last week, one anonymous source told Ben Standig of the Athletic that Young’s departure was more “addition by subtraction.” Another source spoke with Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle and mentioned Young’s undisciplined play, his off-field commitments, and that he had plateaued as a rookie.
So, you can’t blame Young for wanting to send his parting shots to Washington.
But Young wasn’t finished.
“Just the players,” Young said when asked how he could tell a difference in the culture so soon. “The spirit in the locker room. The spirit of the coaches. You know, it’s just different, you know what I’m saying? It’s kind of that same thing at Ohio State, where it’s like you’re expected to win, and it’s just like that vibe of ‘We’re going to win,” you know what I’m saying? So, it definitely reminds me of Ohio State, but obviously, it’s going to feel — these are grown men. I’m just excited — blessed with the opportunity to be with this franchise.”
We aren’t sure if Young was just being honest or delivering some indirect shots to his former team. He isn’t lying when he says the 49ers are winners, having played in three of the last four NFC championship games.
Young had some other interesting comments in his introductory presser. Regardless of who is right or wrong, those “anonymous sources” should’ve never trashed Young on his way out the door.
It didn’t work in Washington. That’s fine. If the Commanders didn’t see him as a part of the future, moving on was the right decision. It’s clear things weren’t right between Young and the team since 2021.
And for his part, Young needs to hold himself accountable. He bears responsibility for how things ended, too. There is plenty of blame to go around, but ultimately, Young didn’t produce, and that’s why Washington wanted to move on from him.
Young will make his 49ers’ debut in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.