Will the Real Chase Young Please Stand Up?

When the then Washington Redskins selected Chase Young with the 2nd pick in the 2020 draft, they knew they were getting somebody special, a game changer. Chase is a freak of nature with his size and strength. His 2020-21 campaign was pretty successful as he had 44 solo tackles and 7.5 sacks. His 2021 campaign wasn’t as successful and then a serious knee injury put him out for the season. As we anxiously await his return, the question I’m asking is “Will the real Chase Young please stand up”?

When you look at the elite pass rushers, the game changers in the NFL right now, they make themselves known every single game. For example, we just saw the Giants come to Washington and beat the Commanders in a huge NFC East game. Kayvon Thibodeaux was a game changer who made a huge impact. He had a sack, fumble and TD recovery in a key moment in the game. He was all over the place, and finished the game with 12 tackles and 1 sack. The Commanders didn’t have an answer for him, and is the big reason they lost.

Staying in the NFC East, Micah Parsons is an impact player each and every game. He is a one man wrecking machine that creates havoc. They move him on both sides of the ball, and he creates matchup nightmares for opposing offenses. Without Micah, Dallas doesn’t win as much and becomes a more mediocre team. Below are the stats comparing all three defensive players in their careers.

Kayvon Thibodeaux

Micah Parsons

Chase Young

The Commanders need that same ferocity and impact that those two guys possess. That’s why they drafted him with the 2nd pick in the 2020 draft. He needs to be a game wrecker and unfortunately we haven’t seen that too much. We saw glimpses in 2020, but it would be nice to see Micah Parsons type impact, In the last game, Kayvon Thibodeaux type impact. The Commanders defense would go from good to elite, but he needs to step up his game. We’ll see how he responds from a serious knee injury, but that’s the expectation the coaching staff should have. Just bull rushing every single play is not going to work, and they need to move him on both ends. Try stunts, be creative in letting this young man release his potential. Let’s hope this comes to fruition, and we get to see who the real Chase Young is! So my question remains, Will the real Chase Young please stand up?