Will the 49ers Re-Sign Chase Young?
The 49ers clearly liked Chase Young a few months ago -- that's why they traded a third-round pick for him at the midseason deadline. It's unclear how they feel about him now that he's a free agent.
He recorded a sack in the Super Bowl, which was impressive, but he also had just 2.5 sacks in 9 regular season games with the 49ers, which was not so impressive. And he's a pass-rushing specialist. He's not good at defending the run. So ideally, he wouldn't play on first or second down -- he'd play only on third down. And he's not that effective on third down.
Which means the 49ers shouldn't offer Young much if anything to return. Maybe a one-year deal with incentives if he plays well, but nothing guaranteed. Because he's not that good, and he had all the incentive to play well last season considering he was an impending free agent on a Super Bowl contender and he still was disappointing. Frankly, they should spend a little more money and get someone better.
The 49ers don't need a pass-rushing specialist, they need a complete defensive end who's good at rushing the quarterback AND stopping the run. Because run defense was a bigger issue than pass rush for the 49ers last season. And if the 49ers can't find a defensive end who can set the edge, then their Wide 9 defensive front won't work. Young simply doesn't fit.
The 49ers should take the loss, let him walk and sign someone else.
