Ron Rivera not guaranteeing Commanders pick up Chase Young's fifth-year option

As the league new year gets closer, NFL teams are in the midst of working through their plans for personnel going into 2023 and beyond. The Washington Commanders have a lot of big choices to make, including a key one for the future of former first-round draft pick Chase Young. The 2020 No. 2 overall draft pick could have his fifth-year option picked up by the Commanders – but head coach Ron Rivera isn’t guaranteeing it.

Speaking to reporters this week, Rivera shared his plans to motivate Young with the extension over his head.

Rivera compared Young’s situation to that of Daron Payne‘s last offseason. The former Alabama standout had a career year for the Commanders, totaling 11.5 sacks ahead of contract discussions.

“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.”

Payne’s performance this season only increased his future price tag, but that aspect doesn’t bother the former Panthers coach a bit.

“It cost us. But it cost us in a good way, because the young man played, he did things the right way.” Rivera said. “He didn’t sit out, he didn’t withhold, he could have done that sit-in during training camp, but he didn’t. And because he didn’t, now we’re in that position where we have to find a way to say thank you, OK, you’ve earned it.”

Young approaches big potential payday

Young originally signed a four-year deal with Washington worth $34.5 million. After making one Pro Bowl in his first three seasons, the former Ohio State Buckeye is now eligible for the second-highest level of benefits on his fifth-year option.

Defensive ends have the fourth-highest fifth-year option salary, behind quarterbacks, linebackers and wide receivers. The Commanders would owe him $17.452 million. Also, thanks to CBA changes in 2020, that number is fully guaranteed, regardless of injury or performance.

The average number of players who have their fifth-year option picked up has hovered around 19 over the past nine years.

“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?” Rivera said in regards to the factors going into the decision. “We’re going to sit down with the doctors, with the trainers. ‘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.”

Coming off of an ACL tear, Young played in three games for the Commanders this season. He totaled five tackles. His rookie season was his most productive – and healthiest – as he racked up 44 tackles with 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.