St. Patrick's Day may have passed, but New Orleans is celebrating its new pass-rushing presence on Monday.
The Saints and star EDGE rusher Chase Young agreed terms to a one-year contract, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The former No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft, Young was tipped for greatness as a youngster. He appeared destined to live up to the hype during his first few seasons in his hometown Washington, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in his maiden year.
However, injuries and inconsistency have limited his form in the seasons since. At just 24, Young has plenty of time to find his footing. A fresh start could be just what he needed, especially after a surprisingly quiet end to his 2023 campaign.
New Orleans is hoping to enliven his play with some new scenery in the Bayou. Here's what you need to know as Young prepares to travel to the Deep South to get some proper Southern hospitality.
MORE NFL FREE AGENCY:
Most overpaid | Best bargains | Team grades | Winners & losers
Chase Young contract details
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the terms of Young's deal are as follows:
- Team: New Orleans Saints
- Contract length: One year
- Contract value: $13 million
Young will make $13 million in 2024, all of which is guaranteed. It's a far cry from the potential money he could've earned had he maintained his health and level of production during his final days in Washington. Young recorded five sacks in seven games with the Commanders last year.
If he were to have kept that pace for the whole of the season, he would've totaled around 12 sacks, a far more well-rounded number that would have almost certainly raised Young's payday.
Nine games in the Bay netted a return of just two sacks for Young, a 24-year-old who has yet to hit double-digit sack totals over the course of a season.
Young will hope to recreate the form that seemed to have him on the brink of a mammoth payday just a few years ago. With a one-year contract in tow, Young could still cash in with a breakout season.
Chase Young stats
| Season | Team | Games | Sacks | Tackles | TFL | FF |
| 2020 | Commanders | 15 | 7.5 | 44 | 10 | 4 |
| 2021 | Commanders | 9 | 1.5 | 26 | 3 | 2 |
| 2022 | Commanders | 3 | 0.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Commanders/49ers | 16 | 7.5 | 25 | 7 | 0 |
| Total | 43 | 16.5 | 100 | 20 | 6 |
