Chase Young, a former San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders defensive end, has signed a $13 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. Young, a former Defensive Rookie of the Year, appears to have accepted the highest financial offer available to him. Young has not lived up to his draft status, but he did have a successful year in 2023 with Washington and San Francisco.
He recorded 7.5 sacks, 25 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 15 quarterback hits. Chase Young was picked second overall, so one would expect him to be more productive, but that hasn’t been the case thus far. He was dealt from Washington to San Francisco at the NFL trade deadline in 2023 and went to the Super Bowl with the 49ers.
However, worries about his effort at times may have contributed to his inability to earn a long-term contract and his prolonged unsigned status. Well, Young signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, who appear to be kicking the financial can down the road year after year. Shortly after signing, he had this to say:
Is Chase Young aware that both Sean Payton and Drew Brees have left? Since the departure of the Hall of Fame combination, the Saints have failed to make the playoffs, and they will not make the playoffs in 2021, Sean Payton’s final season with the franchise. Over the last three years, they have gone 9-8, 7-10, and 9-8, with a significant underachievement in 2023.
The team made a stir last summer by signing Derek Carr, a career-losing quarterback. The Saints’ decision to sign Carr, who is under contract for another year, was perplexing. Dennis Allen and Derek Carr, the team’s head coach and quarterback, are not particularly motivating. Going from an excellent, contending Super Bowl club in San Francisco to saying his new squad has a “winning culture” is a bold statement.
Young is well-positioned to potentially be compensated in 2025. He had a solid year in 2023 and will be a free agent again next summer, when he turns 26. Young may be overestimating himself, but there’s also the possibility that he didn’t receive a long-term contract he was interested in.
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