ASHBURN, Va. – Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young made it clear on Sunday evening what he wanted this week: Tom Brady. And that didn’t change three days later – even though some tried to turn it into corkboard material.
After winning Sunday’s NFC East title in Philadelphia, Young was caught on camera saying, “Tom Brady, Tom Brady, I’m coming! I want Tom! I want Tom.”
“I play ball,” Young said Wednesday. “I’m excited to go against the best. The media, it’s their job to rekindle it. If you know me, I’m excited about every game. Tom Brady, you think I’m not excited to be up against the GOAT. “You’re tripping. I’m not going to apologize for saying I want Tom. No, I want every quarterback I play against.”
Young gets his chance against Brady when Washington (7-9) hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) on Saturday night. Young, the No. 2 overall choice in the draft, has recorded 7.5 sacks and a team-high four forced fumbles. He has returned a fumble for a touchdown. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Young is in seventh place with a pass-rush win rate of 22.5 percent. And in the last seven games he is second with 26.9 percent.
But Brady has only been fired 21 times, the fourth lowest in the league for quarterbacks who have started at least 15 games.
“Ask any rusher in the league who they want to fire and most will say Tom Brady,” Young said.
Earlier this week, Young’s coach, Ron Rivera, said it will be “bulletin board material” for Tampa.
‘They will have fun with it. You have to make it a youthful exuberance, but that’s who Chase is, ”Rivera said. “I cringe, but at the same time I laugh about it because he likes to play the game. I think that’s what it’s all about. That’s who Chase is. That’s the kind of guy we want on our soccer team. “
43-year-old Brady, who will appear in his NFL-record 12th postseason game on Sunday, didn’t take the bait, although his subdued expression said it during a video conference.
“He’s clearly a great young player,” said Brady. “We’ve got our hands full on that D line, one of the best D lines in the league, so Chase is a great young player. Went to Ohio State, so of course I think the Ohio State-Michigan thing is wearing off. them a bit. I understand that. We are prepared for a tough challenge and it should be a fun game. “
Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians praised Young, but also issued a warning to the rookie about poking the bear.
“He’s a great player,” Arians said. Clearly making him a captain as a rookie speaks volumes. Both those kids from the state of Ohio – he and [Terry] McLaurin – are wonderful kids. He’s a handful, but it is [Montez] Sweat, [Daron] Payne, the rest of those guys. Ryan Kerrigan – I have a lot of respect for that [him] for a long time. We’ve got our hands full, but it’s one of those games where you better look at what you wish for. “
Young’s exuberance has been visible throughout the season. He delivers fiery pregame speeches and walks the sidelines during games, shouting encouragement for the offense. During a loss to Carolina, when backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke replaced Dwayne Haskins, Young ran onto the field during a timeout to pump up Heinicke.
Facing Brady gives Young another chance to show his enthusiasm.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to play the GOAT,” said Young. They say the best of all time. It’s time to go. ‘
ESPN’s Jenna Laine contributed to this report.