Hey, you Washington Commanders fans! Ready for a good laugh? Who would have thought that the most pressing issue on your minds this spring would be whether or not to exercise the fifth-year option in defensive end Chase Young’s rookie contract? I mean, seriously, what a wild ride. But alas, here we are, trying to figure out whether Washington should keep Young or kick him to the curb.

So, let’s talk about the team’s state of limbo. Young and Coach Ron Rivera arrived in 2020 as symbols of hope, fresh faces of the franchise, and now they’re not exactly sure what to do with each other. Washington must decide by May 2 whether to keep Young’s option or send him on his way.

This week is important for Young because Washington’s offseason program starts, and Rivera has said he wants to see him there. Maybe Young’s attendance at these workouts could be the deciding factor for Rivera. Who knows? It could go as far as helping him figure out if he should pick up the option or not. Crazy, right?

Now, let’s talk about the case for picking up Young’s option. The key words are “potential” and “leverage.” Young is a giant man at 6-foot-5, 264 pounds and only 24 years old. He has a rare blend of size, power, and athleticism. This offseason, Rivera has repeatedly insisted that he’s not concerned about Young’s health following his ACL tear that caused him to miss 22 games over the 2021 and 2022 seasons. If Young dedicates himself, then he could still become the star edge rusher that the team hoped he would be. So, picking up his fifth-year option, which is fully guaranteed for $17.5 million in 2024, is the soundest financial decision. Plus, elite edge rushers can command well over $20 million per year.

But hey, don’t forget about leverage. If Washington doesn’t pick up the option and doesn’t work out a long-term deal with Montez Sweat this year, both edge rushers would become unrestricted free agents in 2024. That means the front office would be in a tough spot. The team can only use the franchise tag on one player per year, and if the other player wants a lucrative deal, Washington would probably lose him and get only a compensatory draft pick in return. Unless they traded Young or Sweat before this season, of course.

Now for the case for declining the option. The key word is “production.” Young has not proved he can be a consistent, game-wrecking force. Since 2021, opponents have looked unafraid of him, often not sliding protection his way and regularly leaving his blocker without help. So, if Rivera has lost faith that Young can become a game-changer, then the fifth-year option could go from prudent to irresponsible. And let’s be real, Washington would be committed to paying him $17.5 million — the eighth-highest average annual value among edge rushers — when the best statistical comparison for his career so far is Kansas City Chiefs backup Michael Danna, who was taken 175 spots later than Young in the 2020 draft. Ouch.

But let’s not forget about what Young wants, right? If he’s healthy and interested in maximizing his earning potential, then he should want the Commanders to decline his option. If he has a breakout season, Washington would be forced to use the franchise tag, which is worth about $7 million more than the option, or let him walk and hit free agency before his 25th birthday. He probably would receive a multiyear deal with more guaranteed money than $17.5 million. Even if he has an average year or one comparable to his impressive rookie campaign, his age and physical talents could entice other teams to offer him a multiyear deal with more guaranteed money than the option. So many options, Young.

Overall, it’s a tough decision for Washington to figure out what to do with Young. But, hey, that’s why they pay the big bucks to make these decisions, right? Regardless of what they choose, let’s hope we get a few more laughs out of this crazy situation.

Serious News: washingtonpost