NFL Rumors: Steelers willing to bargain for available star

The Steelers are reportedly interested in pursuing Commanders pass rusher Chase Young if Washington is willing to listen to trade calls.

Chase Young was the AP’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020, making the Pro Bowl as a rookie for the Washington Commanders.

So the fact that Washington is now reportedly open to listening to trade calls for him is pretty shocking.

Earlier this week, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that the Commanders may be “unlikely” to moved Young but “they’d be opening to listening” to trade offers.

The Steelers are one of the teams interested in making that call, according to Jeff Hartman of Behind the Steel Curtain.

Steelers interested in Chase Young if Commanders willing to trade

“Sources inside the Steelers organization made it known the team has a strong interest in acquiring Washington Commanders, and former 1st Round draft pick, Chase Young,” Hartman wrote. “…As the source stated, they’d have to get very creative to get Young and maneuver the cap hits so the team can still have enough room to head into the season.”

Young had his fifth-year option declined by the Commanders, so this is his final year under contract with them. It’s not certain they’ll have the room or the willingness to give him a new deal after investing heavily in Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, especially with Montez Sweat also in line for a new contract.

This one is interesting because Pittsburgh has T.J. Watt and it looks like Alex Highsmith is high on the priority list to get extended. You can never have too many pass rushers, sure, but it’s not exactly a position of need.

Of course adding someone with the potential of Young is tempting, but the cost of doing so is probably prohibitive when he might just be a one-year rental. The Steelers would be banking on Young getting healthy, first and foremost. He’s played just 12 games over the last two seasons with 1.5 sacks and three tackles for loss in that span.