The 49ers may not be ruling out a reunion with star pass-rusher

Though he didn’t produce up to the level he did with the Washington Commanders before he was traded at the Oct. 31 trade deadline, San Francisco 49ers edge-rusher Chase Young was still an effective part of the team’s pass rush during the postseason.

There’s a chance a team is willing to overpay for Young in free agency given the importance of his position, but ESPN’s Dan Graziano isn’t ruling out a potential reunion between Young and the 49ers.

“The 49ers have at least some interest in bringing back edge rusher Chase Young, who was a bit of a disappointment for them after their deadline deal to acquire him from Washington but is still just 24 and has a great relationship with star 49ers edge-rusher Nick Bosa,” Graziano wrote. “Young might end up having to take a one-year prove-it deal — be it from San Francisco or someone else — but there are enough teams still intrigued by the 2020 No. 2 overall pick's potential.”

In seven games with the Commanders before being traded, Young had 38 pressures, 27 hurries, five QB hits and five sacks, per Pro Football Focus. While his pressure rate was similar in the nine games after the trade (36 pressures, 27 hurries, four QB hits), Young logged just 2.5 sacks.

Spotrac projects Young to sign a one-year deal with a market value of around $13 million per season, which could be right in the 49ers’ wheelhouse once they start creating cap space for next season (they’re currently over the cap by approximately $3M, per Spotrac).

It may not exactly be what the former No. 2 overall pick is looking for — he likely wants a contract similar to what former teammate Montez Sweat got with the Chicago Bears (four years, $98M total, $24.5M per year — taking a one-year, prove-it deal may not be the worst thing for Young given his age, especially playing for a Super Bowl contender like the 49ers.

If he can improve on the totality of his 2023 season (74 pressures, 54 hurries, nine QB hits, 7.5 sacks), Young could earn a big-money deal in the 2025 offseason.