Commanders Using 5th-Year Option as Motivation For Chase Young?

The Washington Commanders are unsure whether to exercise Chase Young's 5th-year option, but head coach Ron Rivera has hinted which direction the team might take.

Washington Commanders defense end Chase Young is thought to be the centerpiece of Jack Del Rio's defense ... or so we thought.

With Young only managing three games this season as Washington played the slow game with its star after recovering from an ACL injury, and he is feeling good. But there is nothing good about what the Commanders could do with his fifth-year option ... depending on how you look at it.

Head coach Ron Rivera stated via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post that the thought of making Young play for a new contract is something the team has thought about.

"Most certainly," Rivera said. "If you look at what Daron did, why wouldn't you think of it that way? Believe me, that would be my approach, especially looking at what Daron did and the situation he put himself in."

Rivera mentioned fellow defensive end Daron Payne who went down a similar avenue to what Young could potentially go through this year ... and it went superbly well.

Payne was the star of the defense, totaling 11.5 sacks to lead the team, had 20 quarterback hits (second-best), and had 18 tackles for loss (led the team).

By making Young play for a payday in a similar vein to Payne, Washington could be hoping that the defensive end's production goes through the roof. That would only mean good things for the team and lead to a significant extension.

In his three seasons, Young has never completed an entire season, with his best return coming in his rookie year, which saw him play 15 games and register 7.5 sacks. Over the last two seasons, 12 games and 1.5 sacks don't scream a big contract.

But ...

If Young is motivated correctly, all those previous numbers can be shattered. Just which way this contract situation goes will make for fascinating viewing.

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