5 Commanders on the hot seat heading into the 2023 season
By Dean Jones
Chase Young - Commanders DE
There aren't many individuals with more on the line than Chase Young heading into the 2023 campaign. The once generational prospect out of Ohio State is embarking on a legitimate career crossroads after the Washington Commanders opted not to pick up his fifth-year option, which was entirely understandable in the circumstances.
Young's featured just 12 times in two years. He's mustered 1.5 sacks in that span, so it's not hard to see why the Commanders adopted a wait-and-see approach where the defensive end is concerned.
Things looked promising for Young earlier this summer. He appeared back to his explosive self during camp drills, but a severe stinger in Washington's first preseason game against the Cleveland Browns derailed his progress significantly.
The complication is taking a long time to heal. It could even result in the former No. 2 overall selection missing out on the first sold-out crowd at FedEx Field for more than a decade depending on what the doctors say in the coming days.
Not being on the field in Week 1 would be a body blow for Young. Simply put, everything has to go right for the pass-rusher this season in pursuit of silencing some ongoing doubters who are labeling him one of the biggest draft busts in a generation.
That's a little unfair - for now at least. Whether it's a stigma that sticks is entirely down to how Young performs in 2023 with the spotlight glaring.