Why are the Commanders not picking up Chase Young’s fifth-year option?
The Washington Commanders are not picking up star edge rusher Chase Young’s fifth-year option, as confirmed to him and his agent on Wednesday.
The second overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honours in 2020, but since that season has only played a total of 12 games due to an ACL injury he suffered in 2021.
Young is now set to become a free agent after the 2023 season.
Is Young likely to leave?
This doesn’t necessarily mean it is the end for Young in Washington. If he stays fit, plays and performs at the high level we know he’s capable of, then it would be a no-brainer to keep him around, even if re-signing would cost more than the $20 million+ or so projected franchise tag option.
That’s more than the $17.45 million fifth-year option, but this decision is made primarily as a result of the risk factor. We still haven’t seen Young with a full season under his dealt, and they could be wasting precious resources by banking on the star DE right now.
What’s worrying is that every current defensive end on the Washington roster is set to become a free agent in 2024. Montez Sweat, James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill, Efe Obada and William Bradley-King are all set to leave the franchise next year. It will be difficult if Washington want to keep hold of both Young and their other former first-rounder in Sweat, given the high tag price.
But it will be less difficult if Young’s salary for 2024 had already been agreed, without the benefit of gauging his production, health and commitment.
The defensive line is already taking up a lot of room regards to cap space, with tackles Jonathan Allen ($18 million annual average salary) and Daron Payne (who just signed for $90 million in March) both counting for over $20 million toward the 2024 salary cap.
That’s bad news for Young, as the Commanders have other priorities that they need to pursue outisde of the DL, and need to have money to spend in order to do that.
Does this impact what the Commanders do in the 2023 NFL Draft?
The timing of this decision is strange, just a day before the draft. Washington had until May 2 to exercise or decline, which suggests defensive end may be an option for the team in the first round.
Who could be available? Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness and Clemson’s Myles Murphy could both be available at pick No.16, while there are plenty of options for Day Two. Keion White and Isaiah Foskey are other names who we really like who could slide down the order.
The Commanders do have more pressing needs on O-Line and cornerback to address in the first-round, so it seems unlike they’ll go D-Line. But stranger things have happened, and if players in the position slide for Washington, it could be too good an opportunity to miss out on.
For Young, it’s make or break time. The former Ohio State rusher is an exceptional talent, but needs to stay fit and play consistently if he is going to have a future as a Commander.
