If Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young is under any pressure to perform in 2023, he hasn’t shown it early in training camp. Young has looked excellent on the field early in camp, and in talking with the media this week, he seems relaxed and happy to be back with his teammates and coaches.
After winning the NFL defensive rookie of the year award in 2020, Young struggled in 2021, recording only 1.5 sacks in nine games before a devastating knee injury ended his season in Week 10. Young didn’t return until Week 16 of the 2022 season. Young’s knee injury was much more extensive than just an ACL injury — already a very serious injury.
Young’s lack of production since 2020 and the injury led Washington to decline, picking up his fifth-year option for 2024. That means Young is scheduled for unrestricted free agency next offseason.
To say the 2023 NFL season is important for Young would be a massive understatement.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN recently named a combination of 20 NFL players, coaches and executives under the most pressure to perform in 2023. Young was on the list.
No pass-rusher came into the league with a more exciting résumé than Young, who was seen as potentially the best player available at any position when he came off the board with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft. Young did enough in his debut season to claim the defensive rookie of the year award, but he never built on his promising start. He had just 1.5 sacks and four knockdowns during the first half of 2021 before suffering a knee injury, then didn’t return before the final three weeks of the 2022 campaign.
The Commanders declined Young’s fifth-year option this spring. The hope might be that the move motivates Young, but the reality is the Commanders thought the level of play Young has shown so far hasn’t been worth the risk of guaranteeing him $17.5 million for 2024, even when that’s a relatively modest mark for edge rushers. With former college teammate Nick Bosa set to become the highest-paid defensive end in league history on a new extension this offseason, Young needs to turn things around to get back on track, with the $24.5 million franchise tag as a target for 2024.
Young understands what’s in front of him. If he has a big season, he will get paid — whether it’s in Washington or somewhere else. Much like defensive tackle Daron Payne, if Young has a big season, it’s almost certain that the Commanders would apply the franchise tag and look to work out a long-term deal.