Commanders Coach Ron Rivera 'Real Excited' About DE Chase Young During Minicamp

Chase Young is entering a defining year and Commanders head coach Ron Rivera likes what he is seeing thus far during minicamp.

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young and his future beyond this season is up in the air. After being a slow burn in his recovery from an ACL injury, the Commanders decided not to pick up Young's fifth-year option.

With a focus on seeing how Young returns from his injury before offering a big contract, the former first-round pick now has to play well to secure that payday.

But how has Young looked thus far in minicamp after over a year removed from his ACL injury? Commanders head coach Ron Rivera liked what he saw.

"He looked good; he really did," Rivera said. "Real excited about it. Looks like he's got some explosion back, which was one of the really neat things in terms of watching him, his get off. He looks like he's more confident. We noticed that as well and we've been seeing that in watching [TE] Logan Thomas. Another guy that was coming off a year removed now from having had knee surgery. So, feel very good about what we're seeing from our guys."

With Young looking far better than in previous months during minicamp, there is at least some good news for the defensive end, as getting confidence back into the knee is paramount for any success this season.

After playing three games at the end of last year, in which his snap counts went up each game, Young returns fitter and stronger as the Commanders look to get that elusive playoff appearance that was so tantalizingly close last season.

With fellow defensive end Daron Payne having to go through a similar situation last season as Young, Washington knows it can work.

There have been so many rumors of Young potentially being traded away this offseason. However, it is clear that Young wants to make a point that he can still produce as he did in his rookie campaign, but ultimately once the pads come on, Rivera and the Washington coaching staff will get a better idea of Young's progress.

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