The San Francisco 49ers are totally targeted on getting ready to face the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in Tremendous Bowl LVIII. However whether or not they win or lose on Sunday, they are going to have a giant resolution to make throughout the subsequent few weeks.
That’s deciding whether or not to franchise tag edge-rusher Chase Younger, the No. 2 general decide within the 2020 NFL Draft.
“The 49ers traded a future third-round decide for Younger, and the outcomes have been combined,” Professional Soccer Focus’ Marcus Mosher writes. “Nonetheless, the 49ers won’t need to lose the asset and resolve to maintain him round for an additional yr. Younger is simply 24 years previous and is now a full yr faraway from his damage in 2022.”
Younger was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Yr after posting 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 4 pressured fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 2020.
Nevertheless, he hasn’t been the identical since tearing his ACL throughout the 2021 season and lacking the vast majority of the 2022 season. Younger has simply 56 tackles, 9 sacks and two pressured fumbles over the previous 4 years.
It will likely be tough for San Francisco to maneuver on from the 24-year-old, nonetheless. He has proven flashes of his first-round caliber expertise and a third-round decide funding is nothing to simply throw away.
The query is, are the 49ers keen to pay the excessive value?
In line with OverTheCap, the projected 2024 franchise tag for defensive ends is $23.34M. However San Francisco is projected to be $2.92M over the wage cap, per PFF. So, the group might want to make room if it desires to retain Younger.
Solely time will inform if the 49ers are keen to speculate much more into Younger. Perhaps a powerful efficiency in Tremendous Bowl LVIII might assist make the choice slightly simpler for them.
Groups can franchise tag gamers between Feb. 20 and the March 5 deadline.