Does Chase Young 'Understand' Contract Decision? Commanders Coach Ron Rivera's Claim

The Washington Commanders declined to pick up Chase Young's fifth-year option, but head coach Ron Rivera says the defensive end understands the decision.

Former first-round pick Chase Young is doing his best not to let his contract status take a toll on his play. Still, after the Washington Commanders declined to pick up Young's fifth-year option, this naturally led to speculation about his future with the franchise.

As Washington works through OTA's, Young's future seems up in the air. But for all the rumors about his contract situation, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera says Young understands exactly why it's happening.

"He understands, and he's gonna go out, and I believe he's gonna come in and give us everything he's got," Rivera said. "Our intent is to keep our guys. Guys that produce for us, we want them to be around, want them to be part of what we're doing, so that's pretty much just been the message. I believe he's adapted to it very nicely, and he's working hard.''

That is reassuring for Washington fans, but the franchise's stance on Young is to most a smart one. How players react to coming off an ACL injury comes with no guarantees. As Rivera stated, it worked well for Daron Payne, who worked his way through obstacles and then had a career-best year as he led the Commanders in sacks (11.5), tackles for loss (18), and was second in quarterback hits (20) in 2022.

Washington surely hopes that contractually "lighting a fire'' under Young to produce when everything is on the line ends in him being rewarded with a new contract. But for now, they need to see the production before a contract is put in front of him. And Chase Young, apparently, "understands.''

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