2 min read • April 27, 2023
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The Washington Commanders will not pick up the fifth-year option on defensive end Chase Young, which makes him a possible free agent after the season.
Young suffered a torn ACL and patella tendon in his right knee, which caused him to miss the remainder of his second season.
The 2020 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year underwent surgery on both knees in November 2021 and initially wore a brace on both knees while recovering.
According to the Pro Football Docs, the surgery on his healthy left knee was to harvest his only intact patella tendon for the ACL reconstruction in his right knee. Typically, surgeons take the patella tendon from the same knee for the repair, but Young tore his ACL and patella tendon in his right knee.
Cadaver tissue is not as reliable as one’s own tissue. Thus taking the left knee patella tendon was the next logical option.
Since Young did not return until the final three games, which was more than 13 months after his surgery, he only recorded 5 tackles, one quarterback hit, and no sacks.
To say his career in Washington as the No.2 overall pick has been bad would be an understatement.
Young would have made $17.452 million fully guaranteed under a fifth-year option. So, this was the team’s best option for a defensive end that has yet to record an eight-sack season in three years.
If Young has a breakout year, Washington could franchise tag him, Which would be about $24.66 million next year for defensive ends.
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