Commanders Intend to 'Keep Our Guys' Amid Chase Young Contract Situation

The Commanders declined to pick up Chase Young's fifth-year option, but head coach Ron Rivera insists the focus is keeping the star defensive end.

The offseason promises to be interesting for the Washington Commanders and defensive end Chase Young. With the franchise declining to pick up the former Ohio State Buckeye's fifth-year option, his future is now up for debate.

Still returning from the ACL injury that sidelined him for the best part of 12 months, Young returned to play three games last season. But for head coach Ron Rivera, he states that Young knows the situation but reiterates that the franchise's desire is to keep its players.

“He understands and he's gonna go out and I really believe he's gonna come in and give us everything he's got," Rivera said. "If you wanna look at a great example, that's what Daron [Payne] did. You know, 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 and I believe he's adapted to it very nicely and he's working hard. I'll be excited to see him when he has to be here.”

This situation is nothing new for Washington as fellow defensive end Daron Payne went through the same "saga" last offseason.

The Commanders wanted to see more production out of Payne before giving him the big contract...well they got it.

Payne had a career year for Washington as he led the team in sacks (11.5), tackles for loss (20), and was second for quarterback hits (20) that ended in a Pro-Bowl nod.

It worked for Payne, and the Commanders want to see more production out of Young, who is over a year removed from his injury.

The task is simple for Young - play well and earn the new contract you desire.

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