Chase Young first rookie to win Defensive Player of the Month in Washington

Chase Young was named both Defensive Player of the Month, and Defensive Rookie of the Month for December, adding to an already loaded trophy case.

Talk about a happy holiday season.

News came out on Thursday morning that Washington rookie DE Chase Young had been named both the NFL defensive player of the month and rookie of the month for December, adding two more awards to his trophy case, one that is quickly starting to pick up hardware.

According to The Washington Post‘s Sam Forter, Young is the first player to win the player of the month award in Washington since QB Kirk Cousins did so in 2016, the first to win defensive player of the month since LB London Fletcher in 2012. He was also the first player in franchise history to win player of the month as a rookie.

At this point in the season, Young has all but locked up the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, with his 32 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, 12 QB hits, 4 forced fumbles, 4 batted passes, 3 fumble recoveries, and 1 touchdown. After a relatively slow start to his career, Young has absolutely been a dominant and driving force of the Washington defense over the past couple of months, and his recognition in the NFL is well-deserved. It is clear that the start of a dominant career is underway.

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