4 Commanders players that must impose themselves at 2023 OTAs
By Dean Jones
Chase Young - Commanders DE
It's now or never for Chase Young.
Simple as that, really.
The defensive end was once touted as a generational talent coming out of Ohio State en route to becoming the No. 2 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. A series of injury problems and subpar performances meant the Washington Commanders didn't pick up his fifth-year option before the deadline, which puts the player's future in serious doubt heading into OTAs.
All signs point to Young being healthy and ready to bounce back next season. Nobody could say that with any strong guarantee after how things have unfolded of late, so it's up to the pass-rusher to stay fit and become the dominant force many envisaged pre-draft.
This all starts by catching the eye from the moment Young steps onto the practice field at OTAs. Ron Rivera and his staff will likely take the cautious approach, but the player should be chomping at the bit considering how much football he missed last time around.
If Young cannot make a better go of things in 2023, the Commanders will move on entirely. Something that would confirm his status as one of the biggest draft busts in franchise history.
The stakes are high for Young. How he responds will tell us plenty about his character and level of resolve in the face of significant adversity.