$51 Million Former Commanders No. 2 Overall Pick Called ‘Biggest Contract Blunder’

“It was strange to see Young get that sort of deal this offseason following another good-not-great season,” Knox wrote on July 21. “What made this a poor decision by New Orleans, though, was its cap situation … Given Young’s injury history and the state of the Saints franchise, his extension represented a very unnecessary risk. Young is only 26 years old and still has the potential to develop into a dependable starter, but New Orleans’ money would have been better spent elsewhere.”

Young Flamed Out Fast With Commanders

Young started his career off like a rocket ship with a career high 7.5 sacks as he helped lead the Commanders to a playoff appearance as a rookie.

Following a torn ACL suffered in Week 10 of the 2021 regular season, Young missed 22 of the next 25 regular-season games, including all but 3 games in 2022 — a 2-season stretch in which he had just 1.5 sacks.

Young revamped his career in 2023 with 7.5 sacks while playing for both the Commanders and the San Francisco 49ers after a midseason trade and was a role player as the 49ers made it to the Super Bowl.

Commanders Made Late Move for Elite Edge Rusher

Before the Commanders signed former Super Bowl MVP Von Miller on July 17, you can make a good argument the last time they had anyone even passable as an elite edge rushers was the year they had both Young and Montez Sweat, who were both sent packing in 2023 with midseason trades.

With Young cashing in with his $51 million contract, both he and Sweat have now hit huge paydays since leaving the Commanders.

Sweat, who famously begged out of the “Hail Maryland” game against his old team, was traded to the Chicago Bears on October 31, 2023, and awarded with a 4-year, $98 million contract extension 4 days later. That deal included a whopping $62.8 million in guaranteed money.

The Commanders signed Miller to a 1-year, $6.1 million contract that could be worth millions more with incentives.

“Miller’s one-year deal will pay him $6.1 million, a source confirmed Saturday, with the ability for him to make more,” ESPN’s John Keim wote on July 19. ” … He can make up to $10.5 million through incentives, the source said.”