The Washington Commanders have until May 1 to pick up defensive end Chase Young’s fifth-year option on his rookie contract. The NFL released salary numbers for the fifth-year options of the 2020 rookie class Tuesday, and Young is slated to earn $17.5 million in 2024 if the Commanders pick up his option.
At Radio Row Wednesday, Rivera spoke on a number of topics concerning his team, and Young’s contract situation brought the following response:
“You get an opportunity to sit down, look at his tape with our scouts, talk about the way he played,” Rivera said per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “What do we see in terms of development and growth? We’re going to sit down with the doctors, with the trainers. Where is he?”
Young was the NFL defensive rookie in 2020 after he recorded 7.5 sacks. However, in 2021, Young managed just 1.5 sacks in nine games before injuring his knee. He would miss the remainder of the 2021 season and wouldn’t return until Week 16 of the 2022 season.
Rivera then compared Young’s situation to defensive tackle Daron Payne’s from one year ago.
“If you look at what Daron did, why wouldn’t you think of it that way?” Rivera said. “Believe me, that would be my approach, especially looking at what Daron did and the situation he put himself in. … It cost us [with Daron]. But it cost us in a good way, because the young man played; he did things the right way.”
Young and Payne’s situations aren’t necessarily the same. Washington picked up Payne’s fifth-year option two years ago but opted not to offer him a long-term contract last offseason. Payne went on to have a breakout season, recording 11.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss.
It’s interesting that Rivera talks of motivating Young. Considering new ownership may be coming aboard soon, Rivera’s status for 2024 could also be up in the air.
