The New Orleans Saints have reached an agreement on a one-year contract with free agent defensive end Chase Young, a move aimed at bolstering their pass rush, which faced challenges pressuring quarterbacks last season.
“I plan to add a good piece,” Young stated in a video conference with New Orleans reporters Monday night. “I’m going to let my play do the talking.”
Saints defensive ends totaled 14 sacks last season, with Carl Granderson leading the pack with 8 1/2, leaving the team ranked 29th in sacks per pass attempt in the NFL.
Young, who turns 25 in April, was drafted second overall by the Washington Commanders in 2020 out of Ohio State, where he was named the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. However, major knee injuries sidelined him for much of his second pro season, impacting his performance in 2022.
“Injuries hindered a few things,” Young acknowledged. “It’s all about the process, all about the journey. I know what I can do.”
Last season, Young saw significant action, playing in 16 games with the Commanders and the San Francisco 49ers, who acquired him in a midseason trade. He recorded 7 1/2 sacks during the regular season and added another in the Niners’ Super Bowl loss to Kansas City.
“I feel like in every area of my game, I can grow. I’m still a young player,” Young emphasized. “I’m going to do my best to make sure [the Saints] know they didn’t pick the wrong one.”
Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 264 pounds, Young, whose new contract reportedly pays up to $13 million, now joins a position group that includes Saints all-time sack leader Cameron Jordan.
Becoming Jordan’s teammate is “definitely something big for me that I’m excited to do,” Young said. He described Jordan as “a guy who I can spend time with, who I can absorb the game from.”
Several teams showed interest in Young, but he was attracted to New Orleans by the “family atmosphere” he experienced during a visit to team headquarters and what he referred to as the team’s “winning culture.”
In New Orleans, Young will reunite with former Ohio State teammates linebacker Pete Werner and receiver Chris Olave. Saints veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore also played at Ohio State. “This place, I had a feeling; My mom always said trust my gut,” Young said. “I felt like this was the best choice for me.”
