Homecoming Clash: 49ers vs. Washington Welcomes Back Key Figures
Washington offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was asked what impressed him about the San Francisco 49ers. “I mean, what doesn’t impress you about what they do?” he asked with a laugh. He added, “It’s all starting over. (Nick) Bosa is going to do a great job and then we’re going to see our old man Chase come back.” Chase Young, Trent Williams and Kyle Shanahan will actually perform at FedEx Field on Sunday, home to three of the most iconic figures in Washington history.
Shanahan was the offensive coordinator in 2012 when Robert Griffin III set records, then presided over one of the most disastrous seasons in franchise history the following year when everything fell apart. Williams was the anchor of the offensive line before his time in Washington came to a sad end amid allegations that team doctors misdiagnosed a cancerous tumor in his head.
And Young was the No. 2 overall pick in coach Ron Rivera’s first season with the team before being traded for a draft pick earlier this year. Young’s tenure was also rocky. After winning Defensive Player of the Year, he had an offseason workout the following year before regressing during the season.
“I made money, baby,” he said during his time away from the team. “None of you would have left money. After all, it’s a job. You understand me? Just like you all do your job, I do mine.” Young’s job this weekend will be to sack Jacoby Brissett, who will make his first start at quarterback for the Commanders. “Oh, trust me, I know he’s on the other side,” Brissett said with a laugh.
Running back Antonio Gibson joked Thursday that he’ll finally get a chance to tackle Young, something that wasn’t allowed during practice. Washington also has its hands full on defense, with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen choosing among the All-Stars to suit up for San Francisco.
“They have a lot of weapons,” Allen said. “You know the ball is going to come out quick. They’re a well-coached team. Phenomenal prank call. Christian McCaffrey, Debo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, Kyle Juszczyk — I mean, they have a lot of weapons. Although Shanahan is back after his departure, this will be the first game at FedEx Field for Williams and Young, who faced their former team in the 2020 Bay Area game, which the Commanders won.
Command receiver Terry McLaurin played with Young at Ohio State and said Young is ready to go. “He gets excited every game he plays, that’s the kind of energy he brings to the team,” McLaurin said. “He’s really excited to come home and play against his former team and everything.” At a news conference in California on Wednesday, Young dismissed the notion that it was anything more than just another game.
He said he is most looking forward to spending time with the dogs on Saturday before the game. Chiefs lose another quarterback: The Chiefs put Chris Rodriguez Jr. on injured reserve Thursday, ending his season after struggling in recent weeks. Rodriguez, a freshman, averaged 4.8 yards per carry this season.
With Rodriguez out and Brian Robinson Jr. still missing practice, Washington will have to rely on Antonio Gibson and Jaret Patterson this weekend. Lawsuit over team sale: Robert Rothman, the team’s former minority owner, filed a federal lawsuit against Bank of America, claiming the bank should have disclosed to him that Dan Snyder was in financial jeopardy because of loans he took out. Rothman, along with two other investors, sold their 40 percent stake back to Snyder in April 2021 for $875 million. That price per share was significantly less than what Josh Harris paid for full control of the team earlier this year. The suit seeks economic damages, but that is irrelevant to the validity of the sale to Harris.