The Washington Commanders were 3-5 on Oct. 31 when they traded defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young to the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers, respectively.
Washington narrowly won its first game without Sweat and Young but has not won since and sits at 4-11 on the season.
This week, the Commanders face Young and the 49ers.
The former No. 2 overall pick spent 3.5 seasons with Washington before the trade, finishing his time with the Commanders with 14 sacks, including five this season. Since the trade, Young has 2.5 sacks for the 49ers, giving him 7.5 on the year and tying his career high.
Young only plays 54% of the snaps with San Francisco, down from 73% with Washington. He rotates with others like Clelin Ferrell and Randy Gregory opposite Nick Bosa.
So, how does Young feel about facing his former team on Sunday?
According to Bosa, his former college teammate, he’s hyped.
“I feel like he’s done an amazing job,” Bosa said via Danny Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. “I think he’s gotten better each week, and he continues to get better. And this week is a huge one for him. He’s already pretty hyped up about it and excited, so we’re going to try and play our best game for him.”
Young is downplaying his return to Washington. Not only was Young drafted by the Commanders, but he’s from Prince George’s County, not far from FedEx Field.
How does he feel about Sunday’s game?
“You know it’s going to be fun,” Young said.
“I think over there, it’s a real good locker room,” Young said about his time in Washington. “I think we had fun in the locker room for sure……it’s just another game, though.”
He does have fond memories of his time in Washington and knows the Commanders will fight to the end.
“They’re definitely a team who’s going to fight to the end. I do know that,” Young said.
Young mentioned when the 49ers have some time off on Saturday, he plans to go see his six dogs, which are back in the DMV.