What happened to Chase Young? Commanders refuse to commit to 2020 lottery pick

Chase Young was drafted second overall in the 2020 NFL draft out of Ohio State and was regarded as one of the best pass rushers to come out of college in the last 10 years.

He had a strong rookie campaign, starting in 15 games and recording 44 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and four pass deflections. His stellar campaign saw him take home the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

That, however, appears to have not been enough to convince the Washington Commanders that he's part of their future. Earlier this week, head coach Ron Rivera said the Commanders think it's risky to pick up Young's fifth-year option.

"Well, what goes into that is you get an opportunity to sit down, look at his tape with our scouts, talk about the way he played, what do we see in terms of development and growth? We’re going to sit down with the doctors, with the trainers." Rivera said.

Young didn't produce the way he did the following season and suffered a devastating injury. Through nine games, the Defensive Rookie of the Year only recorded 1.5 sacks, 26 tackles, two forced fumbles, and two pass deflections.

During the Commanders' Week 10 game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Young suffered a torn ACL and patellar tendon, which ended his sophomore season.

Young missed most of the 2022 season. He made his return to the field against the 49ers in Week 16. He recorded five tackles and one pass deflection in 2022.

Commanders don't sound optimisic about picking up Chase Young's fifth-year option

Dallas Cowboys v Washington Commanders

The Commanders have a big business decision to make before May 1. That is when the team will have to decide if they will pick up Young's fifth-year option for the 2024 season.

As things stand, it doesn't sound like the team is too optimistic about picking up the option on Young. Head coach Ron Rivera spoke to the media about the possibility of picking it up and talked about Young's growth and health as the team will have to go through that process.

Rivera said of the decision on Young:

‘Where is he? How do you feel, is this something that is going to be long-term, hey, no worries — as long as nothing crazy happens, he’s going to be fine, it’s worth the risk?’ You know what I’m saying? We have to go through that process more so than anything else.”

If the team declines to pick up the option, he will become a free agent after this season. This will be a make-or-break season for Young's second contract.

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