Commanders trade Chase Young to 49ers for third-round pick - ESPN

The Washington Commanders traded defensive end Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers for a third-round pick, it was announced Tuesday.

The move cut ties with their most productive pass-rusher this season and signaled a change in direction for the franchise, especially after trading fellow defensive end Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 second-round pick earlier in the day.

Young would have been a free agent after the season. Washington declined to pick up his fifth-year option in the offseason. It would have counted $17.452 million against the 2024 salary cap but also would have been guaranteed money.

For the 49ers, the trade for Young comes a day after coach Kyle Shanahan said general manager John Lynch was working the phones but was unsure what players might be available to bolster a team riding a three-game losing streak.

«If we think there is a chance to improve us, we'll do it,» Shanahan said Monday. «It doesn't sound like there's a lot of options out there, but doesn't mean for sure no. I know we'll look up that all the way up to the deadline and see if anything changes.»

What changed is that the Niners, who were expected to have as many as 12 picks in next year's draft before Tuesday's trade, found a potential solution to their pass rush problems for a reasonable price, largely because of Young's past injury issues.

Because there were lingering concerns about Young's right knee — he tore the ACL and ruptured his patellar tendon in 2021 — Washington was hesitant to make a commitment. Commanders coach Ron Rivera also said in the offseason that he hoped it would serve as motivation for Young to have a stronger season.

The 49ers defense has taken a big step backward over the last three weeks.

Young, who