The clock is ticking on an important decision for the Washington Commanders. No, we aren’t talking about who owner Dan Snyder will sell the franchise to, but a personnel decision that could have a long-term impact on the organization.
NFL teams have until May 1 to pick up the fifth-year option on first-round picks selected in the 2020 NFL draft. The Commanders selected defensive end Chase Young No. 2 overall in 2020. This should be a no-brainer, right?
Well, according to head coach Ron Rivera, it’s complicated. Rivera surprised everyone this offseason by saying the Commanders were considering not picking up Young’s fifth-year option. Rivera cited Young’s health as a factor but also noted how playing in a contract year motivated Daron Payne. Payne signed a record four-year extension earlier this month.
Was Rivera suggesting Young needs motivation? If so, that’s not ideal. However, Young didn’t return until late December from a major knee injury he suffered in November 2021. But before Young’s injury, he wasn’t exactly looking like the generational pass rusher many labeled him. Young recorded just 1.5 sacks in the nine games before he was lost for the 2021 season.
So, here we are. What will Washington do?
PFF analyst and salary cap expect Brad Spielberger made his prediction for all of 2020’s first-round picks, and he believes the Commanders will exercise Young’s fifth-year option:
This is the most fascinating decision facing any team on this list for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, the Commanders recently extended interior defender Daron Payne to the tune of $90 million across four years just one offseason after signing Jonathan Allen to a four-year, $72 million extension. Edge defender Montez Sweat is entering his fifth-year option season in 2023 coming off a career-high 86.4 grade. Washington simply cannot pay all four players, but do they push that decision out another year and buy themselves time with Young? Or rip the Band-Aid off now?
While Young’s knee injury sustained in 2021 cost him a whopping 22 games, he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie for a reason, with his 87.2 overall grade ranking sixth among edge defenders on the season. The risk associated with not picking up his option could be that if Washington doesn’t extend Sweat this offseason, they’d only have one franchise tag at their disposal with both entering unrestricted free agency.
All outstanding points from Spielberger. Everything he said is correct. This is a fascinating decision that Washington probably can’t believe it needs to make. After Young won NFL defensive rookie of the year in 2020, many expected the Commanders to be working on a generous extension for Young.
I agree with Spielberger here. The Commanders will pick up Young’s option. Even though it will be costly, it doesn’t tip their hand on which defensive end they want to keep beyond 2023 between him and Montez Sweat.
Sweat is a free agent after 2023, and if the Commanders can’t agree to a long-term deal with him, they can apply the franchise tag. If the option is picked up, Young will already be under contract for 2024 at around $17.5 million.
It should be an interesting few weeks for Washington, and that decision on Young likely will not come until the last minute.