Is Chase Young Commanders' X-Factor Next Season?

Commanders defensive end Chase Young is playing for his future next season, but could he be Washington's X-Factor?

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young is going to have to play for his future with the organization next season. With Washington declining to pick up his fifth-year option, something they also did with Daron Payne, Young's situation is precarious.

We know the talent he possesses as in his rookie campaign, Young won the Defensive Rookie of the Year, along with getting a Pro Bowl nod. But now, after suffering the dreaded ACL injury, there are doubts on his long-term future.

But, given we have seen his upside, ESPN has listed Young as Washington's X-Factor entering next season.

"The Commanders showed their understandable reservations about Young when they declined to pick up his fifth-year option," ESPN writes. "Young still is the player that ranked seventh in pass rush win rate at edge (23%) as a rookie, and his 2021 was better than his 1.5-sack total indicated, with a 19% PRWR at edge, according to ESPN Analytics and NFL Next Gen Stats."

Young will be looking to re-stake his claim along Jack Del Rio's defensive line next season, and frankly, his career in Washington is hanging by a thread, so he needs to.

Last season, Young played the final three games of the season, and in each, he increased his snap count in each game. He now enters the offseason feeling good, and with training camp around the corner, it is a chance to put in the work to give himself the best shot at winning another contract.

If, and it's a big if, he can become Washington's X-Factor next season, and produce to the level we know he can, then surely a shiny new contract will follow.

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