After a strong start to the 2024 season, the New Orleans Saints faltered down the stretch as their poor depth could not overcome a seemingly endless barrage of injuries. Despite missing the playoffs and hiring a new head coach in Kellen Moore, the Saints believe they can compete, and Chase Young is a big part of their future.
Set to test the open market, New Orleans ensured he wouldn’t go anywhere by signing him to a three-year, $51 million that could reach $57 million if he hits certain incentives.
After spending the 2024 season playing on a one-year deal, Chase Young quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his gratitude.
Chase Young Sends 3-Word Message After Signing Massive Saints Extension
“Thank you God!” Young posted on March 10th in reaction to his massive extension, quoting a post featuring a graphic of the pass rusher in a Saints uniform.
Following an up-and-down 2023, Chase Young signed a prove-it deal with the New Orleans Saints in 2024. Appearing in all 17 games, the former second-overall pick finished his season with 5.5 sacks, 31 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, 21 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, and a 66.4 PFF grade, the 52nd-best mark out of 119 eligible players.
Chase Young’s Actual Vs Projected Contract
Three years and $51 million may sound like a lot for 5.5 sacks, but it’s actually in line with the projected value for Chase Young. The second-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, analysts across the league believed he was a generational prospect on the same level as Myles Garrett. While he never came close to reaching those heights, he has developed into a reliable player.
Prior to the start of free agency, Spotrac believed Chase Young would receive a four-year, $70.2 million contract from the Saints or one of the other 31 teams. Instead, the pass rusher received a three-year deal, but the $17 million per season lined up with the projected $17.5 million AAV.
Pro Football Focus, meanwhile, thought Young would receive a two-year contract with a $17.5 million AAV. The Saints effectively split the difference by signing him to a three-year deal for $17 million per year.
“Young signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the Saints after he was traded at last year’s deadline from the Washington Commanders to the San Francisco 49ers. In 2024, he was a top-20 edge defender in total quarterback pressures (66) and pressure rate (14.6%). He may not be the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate he looked like as a prospect ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, but Young is still a high-end No. 2 edge rusher for any team in need.”
Did Saints Hurt Divisional Rivals With Chase Young Extension?
The NFC South is one of the weakest divisions in football, and it’s anyone’s guess as to who comes out on top in 2025. While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a decent pass rush, the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons desperately need another edge defender or two. Carolina had the league’s worst defensive line last year, and they haven’t done enough to completely fix the unit. While the Tershawn Wharton signing helps, this team must find another pass rusher, as Jadeveon Clowney had an underwhelming first season with the team.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons find themselves in a similar boat. While the offense has promising young players in quarterback Michael Penix, wide receiver Drake London, and running back Bijan Robinson, they don’t have anyone capable of consistently getting after the quarterback. Matthew Judon couldn’t recapture his pre-injury form during his lone season with the Falcons, and someone like Chase Young could have been a big help. However, with the pass rusher returning to New Orleans, Atlanta must look elsewhere to fortify their defensive line.
