The Washington Commanders have declined the fifth-year option for the 2024 season on defensive end Chase Young, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. Young is slated to become a free agent at the end of the 2023 season. The option would have paid Young a fully guaranteed $17.4 million.
The Commanders selected Young second overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. His first season was just as advertised as he recorded 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries, including a touchdown. He earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
However, he hit a sophomore slump the following season. Young had 1.5 sacks through nine games before tearing his ACL and rupturing his patellar tendon in his right knee during a Week 10 game.
Young’s recovery appeared to be slowed, and he missed the first 14 games of the 2022 season, 22 in total prior to his return in Week 15.
Once tabbed a can’t-miss prospect, Young enters his fourth professional year with uncertainty. He’ll have to earn himself a lucrative deal one year earlier.
Young will have to overcome the physical and mental hurdles from his knee injury. The Commanders hoped Young’s visit with Dr. James Andrews in February would go a long way.
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera tip-topped around the decision on Young all offseason. Washington waited until the start of the team’s offseason program on April 17 to see how Young responded physically and mentally to his knee recovery.
Declining Young’s fifth-year option does not ruin Washington’s relationship with the 24-year-old. Yet, it does speed up the clock. Young will enter free agency in 2024, and so will his fellow defensive end teammate Montez Sweat. Sweat will play on his fifth-year option this upcoming season. Both Young and Sweat have the same agency, Klutch Sports Group.
Rivera has a track record of rewarding players after breakout seasons. He did so with Jonathan Allen and Terry McLaurin. This year, the Commanders rewarded defensive tackle Daron Payne with a four-year, $90 million extension after his Pro Bowl season in a contract year.
Yet, this may seem different. The Commanders didn’t decline Payne’s fifth-year option. They let him play it out. They did the same with Allen before extending him. They’re letting Sweat play out his this year. Declining Young may spell out their thoughts on him.
