Chase Young Trade Rumors: Struggling AFC giants urged to make move for $13,000,000 DE to revive season, by NFL analyst
When Chase Young joined the New Orleans Saints on a one-year $13-million contract, he was expected to add dynamicism to their pass rushing game. But after wins in the first two games, the team devolved to look like a seller amidst a seven-game losing streak and the firing of coach Dennis Allen.
One of the victims of a potential purge could be the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year, and there are several interested buyers if that happens. One of them is the Cincinnati Bengals, who have been struggling to gain footing at 3-5.
The 33rd Team's Tyler Brooke has said that he would be a great addition to a unit that has been being carried by Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson through the first eight games, putting them at a middling 18th in pass rush win rate:
"Pressure on opposing quarterbacks can compensate for many issues on a defense, and the Bengals have enough offensive firepower to force opponents to continue passing the ball. A Hendrickson-Young duo on third downs could make things much harder for offensive lines to plan for with their pass protection."
To that end, he suggests giving away Chase Young and a 2026 sixth-round pick for a conditional 2025 fifth-rounder (could become a fourth-rounder if certain performance criteria are met).
Other trade packages for Chase Young, explained
The Bengals aren't the only ones in the Chase Young sweepstakes. Another AFC team, the Los Angeles Chargers, are struggling to get to opposing quarterbacks despite having Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa - 28th in pass rush win rate and only 18 sacks.
Bosa has also been struggling with a hip injury that has limited his availiability. Mack, meanwhile, will be a free agent after the season. Thus, Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz will need a contingency plan at the edges, and The 33rd Team suggests getting the defensive end for a fifth-round pick.
The last two contenders come from the NFC North - the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers - respectively.
It's no secret that the Lions are desperate for a top edge rusher after losing Aidan Hutchinson to a leg fracture. A trade for a fourth-rounder could make sense for both parties - Chase Young gets to become a primary starter for the first time since the first half of the 2023 season, while the Saints get another asset that they could use on, say, a wideout.
The Packers, meanwhile, are looking to bolster their pass rush led by Rashan Gary and Preston Smith. Another thing going for them is that defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley once coached Young at Ohio State, so there's already some semblance of familiarity. Just as with the Chargers and Bengals, a fifth-rounder is the compensation.