Washington Commanders ‘decline the fifth-year option in star pass rusher Chase Young’s contract’
Washington Commanders ‘REJECT $17.5 million option for fifth year in pass rusher Chase Young’ contract, challenge star to perform next season
- The commanders already have several talented rushers with expensive contracts
- Young has played in just three games since an ACL injury in 2021 and two surgeries
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Chase Young could become a free agent after the end of next season after the Washington Commanders chose not to pick up the $17.5 million edge rusher’s fifth-year option, according to multiple sources.
Word of the decision came ahead of the NFL Draft, three years after Washington selected Young with the second pick behind Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow. The Bengals announced on Tuesday that they picked up Burrow’s $29.5 million fifth-year option as they worked to sign their franchise quarterback to a long-term contract.
It’s entirely possible that the Commanders will end up doing the same thing to Young, but they’re challenging the 24-year-old to produce in a contract year after he’s already invested significant money elsewhere in the defense line.
Investing more in Young isn’t an easy decision as Commanders Jonathan Allen already have defensive tackle under contract and recently signed DT Daron Payne to a four-year deal worth $90 million after putting the franchise label on him.
They opted a year ago to pick up Sweat’s $11.5 million fifth-year option for this season, but the 2019 first-round pick with 29 sacks in 59 games could also leave on free duty after that.
The Washington Commanders recently turned down the fifth-year option for Chase Young
Washington already has defensive tackles Johnathan Allen and Daron Payne on big contracts
Last season, the team quickly optioned fellow edge rusher Montez Sweat’s deal
Growing up in Maryland not far from the team’s home stadium, Young became the face of the franchise as soon as he was drafted.
He had 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumbles in his first NFL season and was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.
After skipping voluntary off-season workouts in 2021, Young began to slow down in his second pro season and only had two sacks before tearing the ACL in his right knee in November.
After surgery to transplant part of his left patellar tendon to repair the damage, he missed most of the 2022 season before returning on December 24.
He suffered a torn ACL in 2021 and has only played in three games since the injury occurred
The Ohio State product has played in just three games since the injury.
When asked about a decision on Young last week, coach Ron Rivera said the commanders would wait until the May 2 deadline to declare their intentions.
Making the draft call opens up a number of possible options – including a potential trade of Young if anything pans out – for Washington, who has the 16th pick on Thursday and seven others.
It could also make defensive end a position of emergency given that Young and Sweat could be gone for the 2024 season and Shaka Toney was suspended for at least a year for betting on NFL games.