There’s a lot of attention focused on the Washington Commanders’ top two pass rushers, defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat. The two are linked for various reasons.
They both are part of the Klutch Sports Agency. And the pair are first-round picks of the Commanders. Sweat and Young are entering contract years. Sweat is playing on his $11.5 million fifth-year option. Young had his fifth-year option for the 2024 season declined by the team. Concerns over his knee injury in 2021 may have led to the team’s decision on Young.
Sweat’s been the more consistent of the two. Meanwhile, Young has a lot to prove. A down 2021 season and the injury stalled momentum he gathered as a rookie in 2020. Now, he joins Sweat in playing for future money this season.
Thus naturally, Sweat received a question about Young returning from the injury. His reply was interesting, to say the least.
“One thing I can say is he started to be more of a pro,” Sweat said, per John Keim of ESPN. “Ever since the injury, the cold tub and pre-practice and treatment after practice. That’s where he helped his game a lot.”
Sweat later clarified he felt Young has always been a pro, but he’s elevated his approach in the injury’s aftermath.
Young’s approach to rehab slowed his progress and may have placed concern within the organization. Last season, Young didn’t return until the final three games of the season. In February he met with Dr. James Andrews to ease his apprehension.
Also, his play in 2021 lingered. At one point Ron Rivera called out his young defensive ends, which was interrupted to be more directed at Young than Sweat.
As the contract situation unfolded, it all came to a head when the team elected to decline Young’s fifth-year option for 2024.
Understanding that Sweat was also in a contract year in 2023, the decision rang loudly on Young. During this training camp, Young ditched his knee brace and feels he is explosive again.
By the sounds of Sweat, Young also may have ditched the hesitation he had in his approach. Hopefully, he can get back to his monstrous self and have a season much like his Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign than the two struggling years that followed.
