Are the Commanders playing a dangerous game with Chase Young?

Are the Washington Commanders playing a dangerous game with high-profile defensive end Chase Young heading into the 2023 season?

One could make a strong case for and against what the Washington Commanders decided to do with Chase Young this offseason. While the defensive end could cause significant financial complications for the franchise with a bounce-back campaign in 2023, the risks around triggering his fifth-year option were simply too significant given the player's career trajectory over the last two seasons.

Young might not have liked the move, but he understood according to head coach Ron Rivera. It's a tactic he's deployed successfully with the likes of Daron Payne recently, but whether it has a similar effect on the former No. 2 overall selection remains to be seen.

Skipping voluntary workouts wasn't the greatest look for Young considering the amount of football he's missed over the last two years. But he's been working hard alongside fellow defensive end Montez Sweat before and after Washington's mandatory minicamp, who also happens to be out of contract in 2024 unless a deal can be sorted once Josh Harris' ownership group gets official NFL approval.

Commanders are taking a big risk with Chase Young

Looking at the money committed to Washington's formidable defensive tackle tandem of Payne and Jonathan Allen, keeping both around looks difficult. Although with the salary cap only going up every year, it's possible.

One could argue that the Commanders are playing a dangerous game with Young, who'll add a premium to his contract demands if he does put a consistent run of games together and the numbers increase. But as Rivera stated via John Keim of ESPN, it'll be a nice problem to have if this scenario comes to fruition.

"He gets it, he understands. He'll come in and give everything he's got. Look what Daron [Payne] did. Guys that produce for us we want to keep them around. That's been the message. I believe [Chase Young] has adapted to it nicely. He's working hard."

- Ron Rivera via ESPN

There is also the trade situation that deserves scrutiny. Speculation is rampant about potential teams that could take the plunge, but the Commanders appear unwilling to part ways with the once-generational prospect currently.

Again, there's a fine line. Washington could extract maximum compensation from a team who genuinely believes Young's injury problems are a thing of the past, although time is of the essence if they want to go down this route.

However, the flip side of this coin cannot be ignored, either. If Young cannot get back to his rookie form and the Commanders decide to cut their losses before the deadline, they'll get almost nothing in return for a player expected to be a franchise cornerstone for years.

Regardless of what comes next for Young and the Commanders, the edge presence should use the last few weeks and months as a source of motivation. Besides, there's nothing he can do about what the higher-ups decide, so focusing on football and staying healthy is the only way he can begin altering perceptions.

If Young can do that, he'll put the Commanders in quite the predicament - especially if Sweat also enjoys another standout year in pursuit of a big-money extension. If Washington and its new ownership group won't stump up the cash, there should be a queue of suitors looking to attain his services in free agency.

How will things play out and have the Commanders made the correct call? Time will tell.