A recent trade idea has the Indianapolis Colts sending a package of picks and players to the Washington Commanders for defensive end Chase Young.
Sports are extremely unpredictable. Beyond the field of play, the business of sports is often unpredictable as well. From trades to free agency decisions, you never really know what’s going to happen. Even still, some moves seem really unlikely unless they actually happen. That’s the case with a recent trade idea that has the Indianapolis Colts acquiring Chase Young from the Washington Commanders.
As unlikely as that may sound, Kenneth Teape of the NFL Analysis Network recently made a case for Indy calling Washington to explore this possible move. Teape explained that the Colts can still use more edge-rushing help, and also that the Commanders may be tempted to move on from Young. Highlighting how Washington has already committed a lot of money to the defensive line, and to other young players on the roster, Teape explains that Washington simply may not be able to pay Chase Young.
So, instead of letting Young walk in free agency, Teape pitched a trade that would send Chase Young and a 2023 sixth-round pick to Indianapolis, and a 2023 fifth-round pick, a conditional 2024 second-round pick and Ryan Kelly back to Washington.
Could Colts acquire Chase Young from the Commanders?
If this trade was offered, everyone in Indianapolis would likely accept it in a heartbeat. The first few years of Young’s career have been impacted by injury, but when he’s been on the field, he’s been good. As a rookie, Young recorded 7.5 sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, and 12 quarterback hits. He was also selected for the Pro Bowl in his first year.
Unfortunately, a knee injury limited Young to just 12 games over the last two seasons. Now, he’s preparing for his fourth season in the NFL, and what could be the last year on his rookie contract. There is a fifth-year option that Washington can decide to pick up, and that will be the first of many decisions the Commanders have to make about Young’s future with the team.
However, it still seems extremely unlikely for the Commanders to be willing to trade him right now. If anything, Washington won’t pick up Young’s fifth-year option, and the team will make the 2023 season a prove-it year for the 2020 second-overall pick. From that point, the Commanders would either offer him a long-term deal next offseason or franchise tag him. Either way, Young playing for the Colts in 2023 seems unlikely.
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