The San Francisco 49ers traded for Chase Young last season, hoping the defensive end could significantly boost the pass rush and help propel them to a Super Bowl victory. However, the 49ers fell just short, and Young's impact failed to meet the team's expectations.
While ESPN's Dan Graziano reported that the 49ers have "at least some interest" in Young returning for the 2024 season, the team will unlikely engage in a bidding war for his services. This is especially true after agreeing to terms on two-year deals with defensive ends Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos.
With the legal tampering period underway, allowing teams to negotiate with impending free agents, Young is attracting interest from around the league. NFL Network reports that the former No. 2 overall pick will visit with the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Tennessee Titans in the coming days.
Young, 24, finished the regular season with just 2.5 sacks following his trade to the 49ers, totaling 7.5 for the season. Notably, he did not record a sack in the playoffs until the Super Bowl.
In four NFL seasons, Young has amassed 100 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, 32 quarterback hits, 16.5 sacks, nine passes defensed, and six forced fumbles in 43 game appearances, with 32 starts. He earned a Pro Bowl selection and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020.
San Francisco plans to release defensive tackle Arik Armstead after failing to negotiate a contract restructure. Defensive linemen Clelin Ferrell and Javon Kinlaw plan to sign with other teams.
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