Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young is the most talked about player on the team. He would be the most talked about player if the team didn’t decline his fifth-year option for 2024 in April.
The former No. 2 overall pick and 2020 NFL defensive rookie of the year is one of the more gifted players in the league. Unfortunately, his production hasn’t matched his talent over the last two years, and a devastating knee injury played a part in his decline. Of course, many point to Young’s 1.5 sacks in the nine games before his injury in 2021.
When Young, along with fellow defensive end Montez Sweat and left tackle Charles Leno Jr., didn’t attend the voluntary OTAs, it created headlines. Not because of Sweat or Leno, but Young. Why? Much of the issue is head coach Ron Rivera’s previous comments about Young missing OTAs in 2021, combined with his lack of production since.
Young reported to Ashburn Monday for the start of the team’s three-day minicamp. On Tuesday, Young spoke to reporters and was asked if he was disappointed the Commanders declined his fifth-year option.
“I’m not disappointed at all,” Young replied. “I’m ready to go.”
🚨"I'm not disappointed at all"🚨
This is the first time we talked to Chase Young since the team declined his 5th year option.
We asked him several questions about the situation.
Chase didn't say much and was very short/brief on the topic.
🔽🔽🔽 pic.twitter.com/2csXEfLojB
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) June 6, 2023
Shortly after, there was a follow-up question to Young where he was asked about Rivera compared Young’s situation to Daron Payne’s last season, where declining the option could be a motivator for Young.
“Yeah, but I can use a lot of things as motivation,” Young said. “All of them, they’re stuck in my back pocket.”
For the second straight offseason, Young was worked out in Colorado. Last year, it was about recovering from knee surgery. This offseason, it’s been about strengthening the knee.Â
“Explosive work, plyometrics — shoot, everything you can do to a knee, I did it,” he said, via Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “[I worked on] strengthening my hips, just really strengthening my lower body and obviously technique work.”
Young said the difference between the end of the season in January to now is “night and day.”
Young’s plan for the next seven weeks before training camp?
“I felt pretty explosive out there,” he said. “Still two months until we report [for training camp]. It’s just [time to] keep my head down and stay grinding.”
Rivera and Washington certainly hope Young follows in Payne’s footsteps and has a breakthrough season in 2023. Yes, it will cost Washington dearly, but it is a good problem to have with him and Sweat both entering free agency.Â
From all indications, those who watched Young Tuesday said he looked great on the field. That’s an excellent start.