Will Chase Young come and participate in this week’s Commanders OTAs?
May 30-June 1 is another three-day set for Young to show he does not really think he is above it all.
Will Chase Young get a new contract for the 2024 season in Washington? We never would have dreamed when drafted the second player overall in the 2020 draft that it would come down to this season. But it really will.
That is if Young has not already burned his bridges.
Consider that Young was the only one of 90 to not come to OTAs in the 2021 season and proceeded to have a subpar, ineffective season before his injury.
Consider that Young then told the media that they would have done their job the same way he did. When in fact, Young had freely chosen to schedule to do a commercial while his teammates (all of them) were working at OTAs.
Consider that Young and head coach Ron Rivera had some sort of communication last season, and Rivera told the media that Young now understood and he would be at OTA sessions this time.
Consider again Young did not participate last week, and when Ron Rivera spoke to the media about it, Rivera mentioned they had texted. Texted.
There are many that want to blame Rivera for this one. But why? They simply want to support the player. They want to say, “What don’t you understand about voluntary?”
Consider that others are in the final year of their contract. How about safety Kam Curl? If Young does not produce BIG TIME in 2023, wouldn’t the Commanders choose to re-sign Curl and not Young?
Consider if Young does not have a big year in 2023, his value across the league will only continue to trend downward
Young needs to start facing the fact that guys like Jamin Davis, who are injured, but showed up last week to learn, to show they are team-oriented and want to work on their craft. Davis no doubt earned the respect of coaches and teammates.
Rivera actually displayed a great deal of restraint in his response last week. Rivera was quite cautious and kind regarding Young’s absence. This is despite the fact Young has done little to show he understands the reality of where he stands now.
Craig Hoffman (The Team 980) last week said it very succinctly, “Realistically, the way Chase Young has handled this the last three years, he has built a foundation to not be trusted.”
It's always refreshing when an athlete has no filter and basically keeps it real.
Jonathan Allen was asked about the expectations for Chase Young this season.
Allen said, "expectations just lead to disappointment."
Later adding, "at the end of the day only Chase knows." pic.twitter.com/XdHbD3CSoo
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) May 24, 2023
Yet, Young fancies himself a leader of the Commanders. He likes to give his speeches to players, to tell players to follow him, and yet he seems to be entirely unaware that his teammates are entirely aware of who shows up to work on their craft and who does not.
This week is another opportunity for Young. What will he do with it?
