Washington Football Team: Chase Young owes no apology for wanting to face Tom Brady

The reaction to Chase Young claiming “I want Tom!” is overblown.

Chase Young played a big role in the Washington Football Team’s victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He put a lot of pressure on Jalen Hurts, notching a sack of the quarterback, and he had a key fumble recovery against Nate Sudfeld. That helped Washington clinch the NFC East and head to the playoffs.

The team was amped about their victory, and rightfully so. After all, they closed the season going 5-2 to make the playoffs in Ron Rivera’s first year, so excitement was warranted.

That included Young. After the game, the rookie defensive end was seen running across the field and celebrating the fact that he’s getting to face the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady.

In fact, as captured in a video by The Checkdown, Young was even shouting, “Tom Brady, I’m coming. I want Tom. I want Tom.”

It makes sense for Young to be excited about this opportunity. After all, before the 2020 NFL Draft, Young stated that the quarterback he wanted to sack the most upon entry to the NFL was Brady. Now, he’s getting a chance to do that.

However, Young has faced some backlash for his comments, and though Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians was complimentary of Young’s skill set, he also had a word of warning for Young, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

"Both those kids from Ohio State, [Young] and [Terry] McLaurin, are great kids. He’s a handful, but so is [Montez] Sweat, [Daron] Payne, the rest of those guys. Ryan Kerrigan, I’ve had a ton of respect for a long time. We’ll have our hands full, but it’s one of those games where you better watch what you wish for."

Arians has a point in that Brady could certainly beat this Washington defense. It may not be easy for him, but if he can get the ball out of his hands quickly, then Young and the defensive line may not have as big of an impact as Washington is hoping.

That said, there’s nothing wrong with what Young has said. Frankly, his comments have gotten more attention and criticism than they should have and he wasn’t really “wishing” to face Tom Brady in that video.

Once they won, Washington was already locked in to play against the Buccaneers. There was no mystery, and Young knew that. So, he was just expressing his excitement to play against Brady and get after him, and he confirmed as much, per ESPN’s John Keim.

"I play ball. I’m excited to go against the best. The media, their job is to stir it up. If you know me, I’m excited for every game. Tom Brady, you think I’m not excited to play against the GOAT? You trippin’. I’m not going to apologize for saying I want Tom. No, I want every quarterback I play against."

Young is right not to apologize. It’s not like he’s giving the Buccaneers any bulletin-board material from this. He’s just simply saying he wants a chance to go up against one of the best quarterbacks to ever play. And if he can sack him, he’ll accomplish one of his most sought-after goals after entering the NFL.

Maybe Brady will find a way to use these comments as motivation to continue to feed the massive chip on his shoulder. But truly, he should be no more motivated after these comments than he was before.

We’ll soon see if Young can sack Brady but either way, the matchup of Washington’s defensive line against Tom Brady should be the most interesting one to watch on Saturday night.