Former Number 2 Pick DE Set to be Traded, Will Chargers Make an Offer?

Could LA pursue this young pass rusher?

The Los Angeles Chargers team is set, for the most part. Most of their positions of need have been filled; it will now be up to the remaining players who will fight for a spot to prove they belong come training camp, which starts five weeks from now. 

The players will have time to rest and recuperate to get ready for the grind of the 17-game-long season plus. However, the work won't stop for the front office as they will do all they can to improve their team on the gridiron. The job never stops, and the need to get better is always in their minds. They could do so by trading for a young pass rusher. 

A few days ago, we learned that the Washington Commanders are willing to listen to offers for former number two overall pick Chase Young. 

Update: The #Commanders are 'Open to listen' to trade offers about former 2nd overall pick DE Chase Young.

More here:https://t.co/UZW9gEtXyK pic.twitter.com/c47hym6Fds

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 6, 2023

In early April, the Commanders declined to exercise Young's fifth-year option, meaning it will make him a free agent after the 2023 season. The 24-year-old has dealt with injuries over the past two seasons, including a torn ACL he suffered in 2021 causing him to miss the rest of the season and resulting in only playing three games in 2022. 

Injury history played a huge factor in the rejection of the fifth-year option, but Young is set to prove he deserves the money that may come his way. The fifth-year option would have been worth $17 million, but now he will have the chance to prove he deserves more than that with his play in 2023. 

Young will enter his fourth season in the league, and after playing in 15 games in his rookie season, he has only played in 12 games in the past two seasons. His rookie season was phenomenal as he earned a Pro Bowl appearance and was named the 2020 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. The future looked bright for him in Washington, but now it may look like it's coming to an end. 

If the Bolts were to pursue Chase, having the likes of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack would only help elevate his play and the play of his teammates. Young was the number two pick for a reason, and he is just getting started in his career. 

Young to LA would be a game changer, and if LA is serious about competing, they need to take a serious look at a possible Young trade. We'll see what happens these next handful of weeks.