NFL Trade Rumors: Commanders' Chase Young to AFC Contender for Linebacker?

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young could be on the move in the final year of his rookie contract.

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young has been the subject of trade speculation. 

That won't change until he either signs a contract extension with Washington or gets traded. Bleacher Report proposed that Washington traded Young to the Cincinnati Bengals for linebacker Logan WIlson and a 2024 fourth-round pick. 

"This could be a win-win trade for two teams getting an opportunity to audition young players at positions of need for the future," Bleacher Report writes. "The Bengals could chip in a middle-round selection in order to pair Young with 2020 first overall pick Joe Burrow and add the player with greater positional value."

Young is in the final year of his rookie contract after being the No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft. Young won rookie of the year after a 7.5 sack campaign along with 10 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits. He has yet to reclaim that form with just 1.5 sacks since then in 12 games. 

The addition of Wilson would immediately bolster Washington's defense. Wilson, who is also a free agent after the 2023 season, has had back-to-back seasons with at least 100 tackles, including a career-high 123 in 2022. The linebacker also had career highs in sacks (2.5) and quarterback hits (7).

"Cincinnati could lose starting linebacker Logan Wilson sooner than that, as he's scheduled to be a free agent in 2024," Bleacher Report writes. "He is a player who could entice Washington, which lacks reliable depth at the linebacker position. Despite having a dominant front, the Commanders defense ranked just 16th in yards per carry allowed (4.4) last season." 

With Young's future in Washington on unsteady ground, an opportunity to add a linebacker the caliber of Wilson plus a draft pick should be a no-brainer. 

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