Commanders News: Sam Howell, Chase Young, Terry McLaurin and secondary ranked
By Dean Jones
Commanders trade sends Chase Young to the Ravens
It's been all quiet on the Western Front in recent days surrounding Chase Young and trade rumors. But something was always bound to come up again during this part of the offseason lull.
The Washington Commanders have displayed no concrete willingness to ship out their No. 2 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft despite not picking up his fifth-year option. This is a risk considering Young's bounce-back potential, but one head coach Ron Rivera feels is worth it heading into a make-or-break campaign.
Young should be highly motivated to silence some increasing doubters next season and put himself in a strong position when the time comes to begin negotiations. Whether the Commanders can accommodate him and Montez Sweat is another matter.
If the Commanders' stance shifts at any stage regarding Young, then an idea put forward by Alex Ballentine from The Bleacher Report looks especially intriguing. Something that would see the former Ohio State stud join the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for linebacker Patrick Queen and a 2024 fourth-round selection.
"If the Ravens want to continue to contend in the conference that boasts Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, they have to play great defense. Adding an edge-rusher such as Chase Young would go a long way in accomplishing that goal. Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo are a promising young duo, but Young would add another young option who demonstrated a high ceiling when he won Rookie of the Year in 2020. The Commanders would get a steady presence at linebacker, while the Ravens would get an edge-rusher who could help take their defense to the next level."
- Alex Ballentine, The Bleacher Report
Queen would fill a need for the Commanders and give them a strong-looking trio at the defensive second level alongside Jamin Davis and Cody Barton. But if Young hits the ground running and starts fulfilling his pre-draft promise, then this trade does seem lopsided in the grand scheme of things.
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