![Chase (“Quarterbacks”) Young](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/7c18405300d9e0c653bc0d0482400eb1.jpg)
The San Francisco 49ers made another bold move and took advantage of Washington’s fire sale as they acquired Chase Young, the former No. 2 overall pick. San Francisco traded for former Broncos and Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory earlier this month and continues to add pass rushers to the roster.
After a dominant rookie campaign in 2020, in which Young recorded 7.5 sacks, won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and was a Pro Bowl selection, the next two years were plagued by injuries. Chase played in just 12 games during the ’21 and ’22 seasons combined.
So far this year, Young is looking back on track, playing seven games for Washington with five sacks. Going to the 49ers should give Young even more opportunities to show what he can do on San Francisco’s defensive line. It also makes sense for the Niners, who struggled in October, losing three straight, including a tough 31-17 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday.
In recent weeks it seemed like a different team. It’s like they forgot how to play Niner football. The attack didn’t do its best, but the defense, which is usually this team’s saving grace, was out of sync. Among other things, secondary problems at the back and not getting home as often at the front have hampered SF lately. Adding Young to an already top-notch D-line should help them move in the right direction.
In just a few weeks, the 49ers have gone from battling for No. 1 in the NFC to second in their division and fifth in the conference. While they still feel like the better team than Seattle and Dallas (both currently ahead of SF), their record and current on-field product say otherwise. And we know what the great Bill Parcells famously said. “You are what your file says you are.” According to records for the past three weeks, they have been missing