Commanders News: Trade drama, Chase Young, Josh Harris and draft picks

Commanders discontent with Chase Young?

It didn't take long for the rumors to start circulating about why the Washington Commanders sent Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers for pennies on the dollar. The former No. 2 overall selection looked back to something like his old self after frustrating injury concerns, but there might be more to this than meets the eye given reports in the trade's immediate aftermath.

Ben Standig of The Athletic reported that some within the building view Young's departure as an addition by subtraction. This is due to concerns about the player's long-term health and on-field discipline that wasn't sitting well with some.

"Viewing the trades together, Washington shrunk its chances of a turnaround in 2023. However, the team sees trading Young as a potential addition by subtraction, the source said. Even amid Young’s strong season, there are lingering concerns about his durability and on-field discipline, which is partly why Sweat was the more sought-after pass rusher in trade discussions this week, league sources said."

- Ben Standig, The Athletic

This was a sentiment echoed by Michael Silver from the San Francisco Chronicle, who claimed Young was developing a bad reputation for going off-script in the pursuit of making highlight plays rather than focusing on team assignments.

"Young, according to several Commanders coaches and other organizational sources, was viewed as an undisciplined player who developed bad habits such as deviating from assignments in an effort to make splash plays."

- Michael Silver via X/Twitter

Whether this had something to do with Young's father doing the radio rounds just a few short hours before he was traded is debatable. If nothing else, it should give the Ohio State product additional motivation to make a real go of things in San Francisco.