As expected, DE Chase Young has been nowhere to be found during the Washington Commanders’ OTAs.
However, HC Ron Rivera claims it’s all good between both parties, citing that he “understands” why the team didn’t pick up his fifth-year option.
Ron Rivera discusses Chase Young's absence from #Commanders voluntary OTAs@JPFinlayNBCS @nbcwashington #HTTC pic.twitter.com/9m5V0QgT7S
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) May 24, 2023
Rivera believes Young will have a similar response to what Daron Payne had last season, citing that he’ll give everything he’s got.
Rivera thought it would be more motivating for the team to decline that option and make him work for a more lucrative deal.
The coach claims he was in constant communication with the former No. 2 pick, even though Young has chosen to work out on his own instead of attending the voluntary workouts.
Notably, the Commanders did pick up Payne’s option, but they didn’t offer him a contract extension, risking losing him in free agency.
Payne responded by having the best season of his career and earning himself a four-year deal worth $90 million.
There’s still hope that Young can have a similar season, proving that he can be healthy after suffering that major injury and going back to his dominant ways from this NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2020.
The Commanders have a stacked defense and figure to finally be a force on that end of the field for the first time since Rivera took over, and they’ll need Young to be at his best to achieve that.
NEXT: The Commanders Are Missing 1 Notable Player From OTAs
