SANTA CLARA – Many 49ers players were in the weight room last week as the NFL trade deadline approached and it was time for the team to apologize for the bye week.
That’s when the chatter started.
Last Tuesday, about 90 minutes before the deadline, it was announced that the 49ers had acquired defensive end Chase Young in a trade from the Washington Commanders.
Defensive tackle Arik Armstead received a call from Kansas City.
“Charles Omenihu called me and said, ‘Oh, you’re all cheating now,'” Armstead said with a laugh on 49ers Talk.
Omenihu, who the 49ers acquired from the Houston Texans at the trade deadline in 2021, signed with the Chiefs as a fee-based agent in the offseason. The 49ers have added the biggest name to switch teams in Young, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
“Obviously it took social media by storm,” Armstead said of the excitement at team headquarters after the trade was completed. “Chase is a great player. I think reuniting with Nick (Bosa) is a special story. I know they will be able to build chemistry like they did in college. That’s how I found out about it.”
Young is already the 49ers’ lead defensive end, while his former Ohio State teammate Bosa holds the starting position at the other edge position. Bosa was the No. 2 overall pick by the 49ers in 2019 and is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Armstead expressed surprise that 49ers general manager John Lynch was able to strike a deal to acquire Young in exchange for only giving up a special compensatory pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
“Organizationally, you can accumulate talent without giving up much, that’s a given,” Armstead said. “I don’t know how Washington let him go, but that’s on them. He is here now.
“The boys are obviously excited but now it’s time to get to work. There was exciting news during the bye week. We are delighted to have him with us and he will be a great asset to our team. And now it’s time to show it on the field.”
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