Chase Young on 49ers' defensive effort: 'We know we have to do better'

As Super Bowl 58 approaches, San Francisco 49ers fans harbor concerns about the team's defensive performances in the playoffs. The 49ers clinched two dramatic come-from-behind victories, including overcoming a 17-point deficit against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game.

The team acknowledges the issue, and coaches hope they have sufficiently addressed it ahead of Sunday's showdown with the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs.

"Effort's a non-negotiable," general manager John Lynch emphasized last week. "I mean, that's one of our core values, and I believe that in my heart of hearts. We've got four Hall of Famers that represent the defense I played in at Tampa, and if you ask every one of us that played on that defense, 'What was our calling card?' It starts with effort, that being a non-negotiable."

Lynch added, "It's been addressed, and I'd be real surprised if I saw [it during the Super Bowl]."

Defensive end Chase Young, acquired via a midseason trade, understands there is room for improvement.

"We know we have to do better," Young told NBC Sports Bay Area on Monday night. "We have to do more. Can't have that. I can't have that. And everybody on the team knows that we can't have that. So, we're going to do our best to make sure it never happens again."

When asked if the criticism regarding a lack of effort is something he takes personally, Young responded, "Yeah, definitely. We definitely can't have that on the field, especially when you want to be a top defense in this league."