ASHBURN, Virginia – Washington Football Team defensive side Chase Young made it clear on Sunday night what he wanted this week: Tom Brady. And that hasn’t changed three days later – even if some tried to turn it into billboard material.
After Sunday’s NFC East title win in Philadelphia, Young was caught on camera saying, “Tom Brady, Tom Brady, I’m going! I want Tom! I want Tom.”
“I play ball,” said Young on Wednesday. “I’m excited to take on the best. The media, their job is to rock. If you know me, I’m excited for every game. Tom Brady, do you think I’m not excited to play against GOAT” You are stumbling. I’m not going to apologize for saying that I want Tom. No, I want all the defenders I play against. “
Young will have his chance against Brady when Washington (7-9) hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) on Saturday night. Young, the second overall choice in the draft, recorded 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles as the team’s record. He returned a fumble for a touchdown. Young ranks seventh with a pass-rush win rate of 22.5 percent off the edge, according to ESPN Stats & Information. And, in the last seven games, he is second with 26.9 percent.
But Brady was fired only 21 times, the fourth lowest number in the league for defenders who started at least 15 games.
“Ask any forward in the league who they want to fire and most will say Tom Brady,” said Young.
Earlier this week, Young’s coach Ron Rivera said this will become “billboard material” for Tampa.
“They’re going to have fun with this. You have to attribute that to youthful exuberance, but that’s what Chase is,” Rivera said. “I cringe, but at the same time I smile because he loves to play. I think that’s what this is about. Chase is like that. That’s the kind of guy we want on our football team.”
Brady, 43, who will play his 12th record NFL postseason game on Sunday, did not take the bait, although his facial expression contained in a videoconference said it all.
“He is obviously a great young player,” said Brady. “We are busy with that D-line, one of the best D-lines in the league, so Chase is a great young player. He went to Ohio so naturally that I think the thing between Ohio and Michigan passed a little . I understand that. We are prepared for a difficult challenge and it must be a fun game. “
Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians praised Young, but also gave the rookie a word of caution about poking the bear.
“He is a great player,” said Arians. “Obviously, making him a captain as a rookie says a lot. Both Ohio state kids – he and [Terry] McLaurin – they are great kids. He’s a handful, but he’s also [Montez] Sweat, [Daron] Payne, the rest of those guys. Ryan Kerrigan – I have a lot of respect for [him] for a long time. We’ll have our hands full, but it’s one of those games where you better take care of what you want. “
Young’s exuberance was evident throughout the season. He makes fiery speeches before the game and walks the sideline during games shouting encouragement for the attack. During a loss to Carolina, when reserve defender Taylor Heinicke replaced Dwayne Haskins, Young ran to the field during a timeout to pump Heinicke.
Facing Brady gives Young one more chance to show his enthusiasm.
“I’m definitely excited to be playing GOAT,” said Young. “They say the best ever. It’s time to go.”
ESPN’s Jenna Laine contributed to this report.