49ers mailbag: Chase Young’s impact should reverberate into secondary

The 49ers’ bye week saw them pursue and grab Chase Young before the NFL trade deadline

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The trade for Chase Young on Tuesday not only addressed the 49ers’ insatiable appetite for defensive linemen, but it also sparked more questions for this week’s social media mailbag:

What good is this to a secondary who can’t cover anyone? (@BrianPA1841910)

The 49ers’ defensive line has been a top priority for Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch since day one. Pressuring (and sacking) quarterbacks makes it more difficult to identify good/bad/ugly defensive backs, who are simply set up to fail because of the NFL’s pass-friendly rules. This offseason’s expensive addition to bring interior pressure next to Arik Armstead was Javon Hargrave, but there hasn’t been a consistent push or threat.

The 49ers have been on a safari in search of a complementary sack animal since selecting Bosa No. 2 in 2019: Dee Ford, Kerry Hyder, Jordan Willis, Dion Jordan, Samson Ebukam, Arden Key, Charles Omenihu, Drake Jackson, Clelin Ferrell, Randy Gregory, and now Young, Bosa’s Ohio State teammate in 2017-18.

Do you think you need to bring in another cornerback? (@can_i_livedaedae)

Always. But they didn’t reach an agreement on Tuesday. Jaylon Johnson, a Fresno native, remained on a Bears defense that had acquired its own ex-Commanders pass rusher in Montez Sweat. Anthony Brown, a former Cowboys starter who played three special teams snaps in two games, was released by the 49ers on Tuesday.

Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir have also been named starters. Isaiah Oliver, a nickel back, gave up two touchdowns but made 10 tackles, recovered a fumble, and nearly had a first-series interception. Ambry Thomas continues to sit on the bench. When ready and needed, Sam Womack and rookie Darrell Luter Jr. could be activated from the injured list. We could probably do a separate mailbag to discuss whether they should sign Jason Verrett from the Texans’ practice squad.

Will the Niners win the West? (@wojaen19)

The 49ers’ loss on Sunday, combined with the Seahawks’ win, knocked them out of first place for the first time since… a year ago, when they were 4-4 following a Week 9 bye. The Seahawks (5-2) have a half-game lead and have also acquired a defensive lineman in a trade with the Giants. Reminder: The 49ers went 3-0 against the Seahawks last season, and the games this season are on Thanksgiving in Seattle (Week 12) and Dec. 14 at Levi’s Stadium.

Why are they doing this to me three weeks in a row, Cam? (@TweetsOfCarter)

That’s how the 49ers usually operate. Not every season begins 8-0, as it did in 2019. Consider the preceding four seasons:

They were 4-4 in 2020 and finished 6-10 (while abroad in Arizona due to Santa Clara County’s COVID ban).

They were 3-5 in 2021 and finished 10-7 (en route to the NFC Championship Game).

They were 4-4 in 2022 and finished 13-4 (en route to the NFC Championship Game).

A third straight playoff run is still possible. The No. 1 seed will be difficult to obtain, and don’t be surprised if that home-field advantage goes through Detroit rather than Philadelphia.

This offensive line frightens me. They have some serious issues, even with Trent Williams. They attempted to build their offensive line on the cheap, and it appears that they are paying the price, or at least Purdy is. (@SanFranSooner)

Another issue is that left guard Aaron Banks has a turf toe, which has a hazy recovery timeline and could keep him out for a few weeks. This will almost certainly put veteran Jon Feliciano in charge of the already suspect interior. Last game, center Jake Brendel was overpowered at least twice (third-and-short on opening drive, fourth-quarter touchdown pass), and right guard Spencer Burford appears to be overcoming sophomore issues. In addition to making Williams the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL in 2021, the 49ers are banking on developing their other linemen into long-term starters.

Offense and defense play calls appear uninspired. Does this appear to be the case from your perspective as well? (@gabesstorytime)

That certainly appeared to be the case on defense on Sunday, as if Wilks overcorrected with a dull front-four rush after drawing so much criticism for the all-out blitz that cost them in Minnesota. To protect Purdy from another concussion, the 49ers used Kyle Juszczyk on short-yardage sneaks, but the first-and-goal call that resulted in an interception seemed ludicrous: NFL touchdown leader Christian McCaffrey was cast as a lead blocker, and the play blew up when Purdy did not handoff to 2.0-yard-per-carry Elijah Mitchell.

What motivates you to go out and prove you’re worth that investment when you’re paid so well? (@FletcherV)

I don’t see the 49ers’ highest-paid players as a slew of underachievers. Nick Bosa, the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback, played every snap for the first time in 59 games on Sunday. Injuries forced the retirement of Williams and Deebo Samuel, who signed large contracts in 2021 and ’22, respectively. Week 8 has arrived. There will be plenty of time to earn that loot, especially during the playoff push.

Why do players chosen in the first few rounds fail to make the field? Who are the Drake Jacksons, Ronnie Bells, Ty-Davis Prices, and Ambry Thomases? (@gvo1215)

The NFL draft is a pathway to the league. To get on the field, you must demonstrate that you are the best option. None of the listed players have done so in practice or games (possibly meeting rooms, weight rooms, etc.).

How can Steve Wilks continue to call plays? He must either run his own system or the Niners must hire someone to do so. (@Hart0089er)

Nobody else on the defensive staff has experience as a coordinator. Missed tackles, blown assignments, and an incomplete pass rush have been the hallmarks of Wilks’ first eight games in charge of this defense. Young’s addition should help, as a stronger pass rush should reduce the need for blitzes, as it has in previous seasons.

Is it correct that the most likely issue is the new defensive coordinator, who operates so differently than the previous two, who were so successful? (@PeterHartlaub)

Wilks’ predecessors, Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans, faced harsh criticism at the start of their tenures as well, but they were more visible by working on the sidelines. If Wilks stays upstairs in a booth or moves to the sideline, don’t worry about where he calls plays; instead, focus on why he calls certain plays. His specialty is the secondary, and he may have put too much pressure on the defensive backs.

How will they improve the defense? (@adawgslife)

Richard Sherman, who left the 49ers three years ago, offered a scathing analysis on his podcast Sunday night, suggesting that Wilks be relieved of his duties or move to the sideline from the coaches’ booth.

Sherman stated that if he were the defensive coordinator, he would not use man coverage on early downs and would instead use a four-man defensive front to clear the middle. “It’s strange to sit there and run games and stunts instead of pinning ears back and going get to the quarterback like they’ve specialized in the last three or four years,” Sherman said. This is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. I’m sure there will be changes next week.”

What do the guys do during the halftime break? (@d_marieeeee)

Players have about 10 minutes in their locker room to discuss changes to the game’s scheme, uniforms, and nutrition. In terms of first-half scores (10 touchdowns, five field goals) vs. second-half scores (three touchdowns, ten field goals), the 49ers’ defense has been stingier after halftime. Offensively, the 49ers led by double digits at halftime in four of their first five wins, and their scoring has been evenly distributed (first half: 15 touchdowns, six field goals; second half: 11 touchdowns, six field goals).

Why did they wreak havoc on parking and tailgating? (@RotundPatriarch)

Aside from Bosackanxiety, this may be the most common complaint of the season. As the 49ers have improved in recent years, the bottleneck on Great America Parkway into Levi’s Stadium’s Green Lot has gotten progressively worse. Before last Sunday’s disaster, an 11-game home win streak made it bearable. This week, one fan slipped into my DMs and stated that “parking is a huge mess again” due to the closure of some gates. Fans are arriving earlier and earlier in an attempt to beat the traffic. Candlestick was no expressway, but tailgating seemed a lot easier to organize.

What type of fence adds the most value to a home? (@ahredsox)

As a licensed Realtor and your trusted beat reporter, there is only one answer: a defense led by Nick Bosa and Chase Young.