The New Orleans Saints signed former No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick Chase Young this offseason, despite concerns about a neck injury that arose during the year.
Young will step into an already formidable defensive line, looking to add his own pass-rushing abilities.
First, he had a preseason game against his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, on Sunday night. Young played well early on before getting a rest in the second half.
But he talked up his time in San Francisco in a sideline interview with FOX Sports reporter Kristina Pink.
“It meant a lot, coming here being exposed to a lot of big dogs,” Chase Young said. “(Fred) Warner, (Nick) Bosa, (Trent) Williams. So it was a great time here and I enjoyed it. I thank everybody over there just for bringing me in.”
As for his injury, Young said a lot of time in the team training room has gotten him comfortable again.
“Yeah I did that, but really just keeping God first, just keep my head down and just keep it moving forward,” Chase Young said.
In terms of what he can contribute for the Saints, Young hopes to be a difference-maker on a unit that will have to carry its weight if the organization is going to snap a three-year playoff drought.
In his career thus far, Young has accounted for 100 tackles, 16.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and nine passes defended.
He’s had trouble staying healthy and playing a full slate, though, with only one season with double-digit appearances in games. That was his rookie year.
Young hopes to cut it loose in 2024 with the Saints, now healthy once again.
“I’m going to just go out there and be me,” Chase Young said. “I know what I can bring to the table and I’m just going to go out there and do it.”
