Could Commanders Franchise Tag Chase Young?
Chase Young represents one of the biggest question marks for the Washington Commanders heading into the 2023 season.
The former No. 2 pick in 2020 lived up to the billing in his Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign with 7.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles and 44 tackles.
Young hasn't reached those totals in his last two seasons combined. The fourth-year defensive end has only played in 12 games over the last two seasons and has 1.5 sacks over that period.
A torn ACL and lack of production, when Young was on the field, led to him having his fifth-year option declined. With questions surrounding Young's future, Bleacher Report projected that Washington would give the defensive end the franchise tag, which they projected would be worth $20.1 million.
The amount of money a franchise tag is worth is based on the top five salaries at the position.
"Unless a team comes along with an overwhelming offer, that makes Washington's decision an easy one: Play things out," Bleacher Report writes. "If Young can return to form, he'd be a prime franchise tag candidate in 2024. If he struggles again, let him sign a short-term "prove-it" deal elsewhere."
A defensive end hasn't received the franchise tag since 2020.
Washington hasn't hesitated to use the franchise tag before. They played the tag on defensive end Da'Ron Payne before reaching a long-term deal with him.
For Young to receive the franchise tag from the Commanders, he'd have to regain his form from his rookie year. But even if he does live up to the billing of a No. 2 pick, another variable is fellow defensive end Montez Sweat.
Sweat had his fifth-year option picked up after having eight sacks and career-highs in tackles-for-loss (14) and quarterback hits (28) in 2022.
If Young were to receive the franchise tag, it'd signal either Washington reached a long-term deal with Sweat, or Young played well enough that the franchise feels comfortable moving on from him.
Young's future is largely up in the air, but if his performance in 2023 warrants a tough decision for the Commanders, that should be a problem that the team welcomes with open arms.
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