Rumored to be on the fence about Chase Young‘s fifth-year option, the Commanders look set to put the former Defensive Rookie of the Year in a contract year. They are not planning to pick up Young’s option, Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post reports (on Twitter).
Because Young is a one-time Pro Bowler, his 2024 option would cost Washington $17.45MM. Since that rookie-year honor, however, Young ran into a complicated ACL injury that sidetracked his career. Young returned to action late last season, but more uncertainty exists regarding the former No. 2 overall pick’s trajectory compared to where it stood after his rookie year.
This will set up one of the more interesting contract years in recent memory. Young finished second in the 2019 Heisman balloting and was viewed as the consensus best non-quarterback in the 2020 draft. Young lived up to that billing as a rookie, helping lead Washington to an unexpected division title — albeit at 7-9 — and anchoring a defensive line loaded with first-round picks. But Young has since missed 22 games.
More to come.