Chase Young’s fifth-year option declined by Commanders
The Washington Commanders have elected not to exercise former defensive rookie of the year Chase Young‘s fifth-year option for the 2024 season, the Washington Post‘s Nicki Jhabvala was first to report Wednesday.
The Commanders not exercising the fifth-year option likely means they have decided to move on from him after 2023. Young will earn a base salary of $5.32 million in 2023, while his 2024 fifth-year option would have been worth a guaranteed $17.45 million.
Young’s market value will take a hit due to his recent injuries. Nevertheless, the former No. 2 overall pick could end up being a steal in free agency next offseason if he can return to his defensive rookie of the year form.
After dominating in college at Ohio State, Young was the consensus best defensive lineman in the 2020 NFL Draft. It appeared that this was the case after an impressive rookie campaign, tallying 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and earning Pro Bowl honors on his way to winning the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Unfortunately, injuries have derailed Young’s career. Appearing in only 12 games in two seasons after tearing his ACL in Week 10 of the 2021 season. Young has not looked the same since. He made his return to the team in Week 16 of last season, making a minimal impact in those three games, totaling five combined tackles with one quarterback hit and one pass deflection.
Young marked the fourth consecutive defensive lineman selected by Washington in the first round from 2017-20. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, its two first-round selections in 2017 and 2018, respectively, have both signed four-year extensions with the team.
They lead a yearly improving Commanders defense that has begun to capture the attention of the NFL. The fact that Young could not be a part of the group moving forward is a surprising decision.
While Chase Young returning to Washington next year is not impossible, it is unlikely. The Commanders seem content moving forward with their defensive line being anchored by players such as Payne and Allen. Whether or not Young earns a massive contract next free agency with his play in 2023 is something to look out for.
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