Commanders Won’t Exercise Chase Young’s Fifth-Year Option, per Report

After back-to-back injury-riddled seasons, Washington plans to make a rather surprising move with the standout defender.

Following back-to-back injury-riddled seasons, the Commanders will not exercise the fifth-year option on the rookie contract of former No. 2 pick Chase Young, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post.

The result of the move is that Young’s rookie deal will expire following the 2023 season, which would make him a free agent unless Washington agrees to a long-term deal to keep the defensive end.

Young, the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year, stood out tremendously in his first NFL season, racking up 7.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles after landing in the nation’s capital following an illustrious stint at Ohio State. However, since his rookie season, the 24-year-old has experienced a few setbacks that have seemingly changed the trajectory of his budding professional career.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, who was defensive rookie of the year, is now set to enter a contract year in 2023. Will it work out as well for Chase Young as Daron Payne? https://t.co/c8LFFVrWAD

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 26, 2023

After a tepid start to the 2021 campaign, Young tore his ACL in his right knee in Week 10 and missed the remainder of that year. The Commanders exercised caution in getting him back on the field, resulting in him only seeing action in three games during the ’22 season. 

That lengthy recovery, coupled with a drop-off in production, has resulted in Young tallying just 1.5 sacks since the end of the 2020 season. 

Though the past few years haven’t gone according to plan for Young and the Commanders, both sides will hope that the defensive end can return to his Pro Bowl form this upcoming fall, which may just lead to their partnership continuing in 2024 and beyond.