Chase Young 'Perfect' Free Agent Signing For Ravens?
The Baltimore Ravens' defense was one of the best units in the NFL last season, but the group will change this offseason.
Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is now the head coach in Seattle, while Patrick Queen looks set to move on in free agency, and Jadeveon Clowney's future is also up in the air.
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But the Ravens still have the nucleus of a good defense yet again and as we approach free agency, the franchise could even add a couple of veteran pieces to further bolster their ranks.
For PFF, the Ravens' "perfect" signing in the free agency window sees defensive end Chase Young come to Baltimore.
"After franchise-tagging Justin Madubuike, the Ravens sit nearly $10 million over the salary cap," PFF writes. They will be working on a tight budget but need to build up their edge defender group with Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy hitting free agency. Chase Young could be an option, as he is currently projected to sign a one-year prove-it contract to reestablish his market next year.
"He performed reasonably well in his first full season off a torn ACL but hasn’t yet lived up to his lofty draft status. Baltimore has a long history of handing veteran pass rushers one-year contracts, and Young could be next in line."
Young's 2023 season was a classic tale of two halves.
He started with the Washington Commanders, where his future was murky, given the franchise didn't pick up his fifth-year option, but his play on the field was decent enough.
In his seven games (six starts), Young grabbed 5.0 sacks, nine quarterback hits, and six tackles for loss before he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. He would then play nine games for Steve Wilks' defense, notching 2.5 sacks as he showed flashes as San Francisco made it to the Super Bowl.
But now set to hit the free agent market, Young in Baltimore is a tantalizing prospect.
While Young didn't set the world on fire in 2023, the Ravens have an uncanny knack for reinvigorating players; ask Clowney, as he registered 9.5 sacks (tied his career-high), 19 quarterback hits, and nine tackles for loss.
That came after some up-and-down seasons in Cleveland, so a change of scenery was all he needed - the same could apply to Young.
The Ravens are shaping up to have a stout defense again, and having Young on one side of the defensive line and Justin Madubuike on the other is a terrifying prospect for offenses moving forward.
