Commanders 'open to listening' to offers for former No. 2 pick

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young. Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders 'open to listening' to trade offers for former No. 2 overall pick

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 6/7/23

Could former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young soon be on the move? According to Albert Breer of The MMQB, the Washington Commanders would, at the very least, entertain a divorce from Young if the right trade offer came through.

"Teams coming out of the spring thinking they need more help may make trade calls on Young (it seems unlikely the Washington brass would move him ahead of a must-win year, but I know they’d be open to listening)," Breer wrote.

While Washington remains hopeful that Young can recapture his dominant form from 2020, the team is clearly contemplating a future without him in the mix. The Commanders opted not to pick up the fifth-year option on Young's rookie contract in April.

Participating in his first day of Washington's mandatory three-day minicamp on Tuesday, Young ensured he has no hard feelings regarding the decision.

"Not disappointing at all," Young said, via ESPN. "I'm ready to go."

Chase Young told us there is a night and day difference with how his leg feels right now compared to last season.

I asked Chase to explain how he knows he's back to his old self pre-injury.

Chase with a smirk said, "watch the film from today's practice." (more Chase grinning) pic.twitter.com/XBGEy0lntl
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) June 6, 2023

Named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020, Young appeared in 15 regular-season games, finishing within the top 23 of all NFC players in both sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (10). Unfortunately, injuries have plagued the Ohio State product ever since. Over the last two seasons, Young has appeared in only 12 games, amassing 1.5 sacks and three tackles for loss.

While Young's skill set is tantalizing, his lack of production and availability over the past two seasons greatly tarnishes his trade value. Moving off Young would be a sell-low move for Washington that would likely pique the interest of a handful of pass-rushing-needy squads such as the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears. Still, any trade return for Washington would be hamstrung due to Young's injury history and limited resume.

Unless the Commanders have already determined Young is damaged goods, they'd be best served to ride things out through the 2023 season before deciding whether or not to cut the cord on the relationship.

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