Commanders News: Josh Harris, Terry McLaurin, Chase Young and stadium plans

Commanders DE Chase Young's outlook

The Washington Commanders have plenty going for them in 2023. Most notably, getting defensive end Chase Young fit and firing on all cylinders following a frustrating two years.

This could be Young's redemption season. He's highly motivated to prove people wrong and get a bumper new deal from the Commanders or elsewhere along the way, but there are plenty of unknowns that make any guarantees difficult where the former Ohio State stud is concerned.

Young was unsurprisingly named as the Commanders player with the most to prove in 2023 by John Keim of ESPN. But if everything comes together, the writer expects Washington's defense to go up even further.

"He was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 after Washington drafted him second overall. But since that point, Young has not made an impact -- first because of his play over the first nine games of his second season (1.5 sacks) and then because he tore the ACL and ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee. Washington did not pick up his fifth-year option so Young will become a free agent after the season. The Commanders want to make sure he’s healthy -- and also motivated. They have told him they’ll pay him if he produces, but he needs to make game-changing plays to get back on the track they hoped he was on after his rookie season. It would also elevate their defense."

- John Keim, ESPN

Considering the doubts surrounding quarterback Sam Howell and the offense, Washington needs its defense to become among the league's best. If Young bounces back on a defensive line loaded with first-round talent, it's all systems go.