Chase Young quickly became the standout player on the Ohio State Buckeyes’ defense, showcasing his incredible skills with a series of record-breaking sacks. He received high praise for his performance, being named unanimous All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. In 2020, the defensive end made his NFL debut with the Washington Commanders and also managed to secure the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year title.
Unfortunately, Young faced a setback when an ACL tear forced him to sit out the 2021 season. He has recently joined the New Orleans Saints after a short period with the San Francisco 49ers.
Chase Young linked with Saints
Chase Young is set to make waves in the Big Easy as the Saints have secured him a one-year, $13 million deal, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. This move comes amidst a flurry of interest from multiple teams, with the young star ultimately drawn to the franchise by its familial atmosphere and storied winning culture.
In a video conference with New Orleans reporters, the star player, standing at an impressive 6-foot-5 and weighing 264 pounds, shared his excitement to make a positive impact on the team. Teaming up with former Ohio State teammates Pete Werner and Chris Olave in New Orleans, he views this as an exciting chance to further his career and continue growing.
“I definitely plan to add a good piece. I’m going to let my play do the talking,” Young said.
The ex-Commanders labeled joining the Saints as the “best choice” while detailing his potential commitment.
“This place, I had a feeling; My mom always said trust my gut..I felt like this was the best choice for me…I feel like in every area of my game, I can grow. I’m still a young player.. I’m going to do my best to make sure (the Saints) know they didn’t pick the wrong one.”
Young brings valuable depth to the pass-rushing unit, joining forces with Saints veteran Cameron Jordan. Young appreciates the positive influence Jordan can bring to his game and is thrilled about the opportunity to gain knowledge from him.
Despite facing setbacks due to injuries, Young remains determined to showcase his capabilities and elevate the Saints’ defensive performance.
“Injuries definitely hindered a few things. It’s all about the process, all about the journey. I know what I can do.”
Young brings both size and skill to the Saints’ defensive front. His addition comes at a critical time for the team. They are seeking to improve their pass-rushing capabilities following a lackluster performance in the 2023 season, where they ranked 28th in sacks. Even on the offensive side, Derek Carr struggled with injuries. Young is expected to handle the D-line to uplift Carr’s performance in the O-line.
Chase Young 2023 NFL season in numbers
Chase Young transitioned from the Commanders to the 49ers midway through the 2023 season. However, he continued to dazzle on the field with the 49ers squad as well.
The defensive end had the opportunity to play in just nine regular-season games with the 49ers. Nevertheless, he impressively recorded 2.5 sacks, in addition to a sack, two tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits during the postseason. With his impressive contributions from the Commanders, he managed to match his career high with 7.5 sacks for the season.
The football prodigy seamlessly integrated into the 49ers’ rush packages alongside Clelin Ferrell. His 41 pressures and 25 tackles over the course of the season demonstrated his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. He also recorded a sack in the 49ers’ Super Bowl LVIII appearance against the Kansas City Chiefs.
