Despite a disappointing 2021 season, Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young could find his way into the truly “elite” category in 2022
Fans of the Washington Commanders couldn’t help but be excited when they scooped up defensive end Chase Young with the second-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Young quickly rewarded that excitement with a phenomenal rookie year that culminated in a Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
2022 was set to be a monster year. Washington was coming off a fantastic end to the last season and looking to build into serious playoff contenders. Meanwhile, Young was ready to anchor an insanely talented defensive line.
Instead, Washington struggled for most of the year. Young’s season was even worse though.
In 2020 Young recorded 44 tackles (10 for loss), 7.5 sacks (12 QB hits), four pass deflections, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and a defensive touchdown in 15 games.
However, he only appeared in nine games due to a season-ending injury in 2021. He posted 26 tackles (three for loss), 1.5 sacks (four QB hits), two pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. Massive step backward.
So coming off a bad year that ended in an injury. How does that all come together to equal a potential jump to the “elite” in the upcoming season for Chase Young?
It’s pretty simple actually. Adversity breeds excellence. Young came into the league as a golden boy. He absolutely dominated at Ohio State and everyone was certain he would be a superstar. And in his rookie year, he made all those people look pretty smart.
Did complacency set in? That seems harsh. Young probably worked just as hard as usual. But 2021 and the struggles that came with it taught him some things.
They will have helped the young defensive star identify his weaknesses and work on them. Maybe he did feel a little too comfortable. That’s definitely out the window. Young realizes the battle ahead of him and how hard he’ll have to work moving forward.
ESPN’s John Keim put out some quotes from Commanders’ head coach Ron Rivera just the other day talking about the defensive end.
Ron Rivera said Chase Young “says he’s gonna be here” for the offseason work. “I’m excited to see him,” Rivera said. Also said he feels Young has been very focused. Said he feels Young had an awakening after last year…
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 29, 2022
Rivera said 4 Chase Young '21 was "a little bit of an awakening, a little bit of a realization. I appreciate how focused he is; he really is attacking his offseason."
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 29, 2022
Then:"For us, hopefully the realization we hadn't arrived has set in & that just showing up is not good enough."
It seems pretty obvious that Young and his coach understand what has to be done. In 2022 we’re going to see a version of Chase Young we might not have seen in the NFL yet. Someone who some people are suddenly counting out. Not the pass rusher who can do no wrong.
Rivera and Young both seem to acknowledge that 2021 was not a positive step. But it could be looked back on as a major point in his career. We saw Young struggle for nine weeks, before going down with a bad injury to end his season.
The big answer coming off of that is, how would he respond. It looks like it was a wake-up call for Chase Young. And the Washington Commanders may be getting that truly “elite” pass rusher that they drafted second overall in 2020 very soon.