It’s hard to argue with Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay’s claim that Chase Young is entering a make-or-break season.
The New Orleans Saints signed the defensive end to a one-year contract this offseason. For a former top-five draft pick entering Year 5 on his third team, it is obviously a prove-it contract.
His deal aligns with Kay’s statement.
Kay acknowledged that Young is a high-ceiling player who has seen injuries impact his career. Young was the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year, but he took a step back in his second year before suffering a season-ending injury that lingered into the next campaign. His pressures were slightly up, but Young’s impact plays took a heavy drop off from 7.5 sacks in 2020 to just 1.5 in 2021. Sacks are the headline grabber, so that affects his perception.
Young wasn’t able to register a sack in the three games he played in 2022, either. He looked like he regained his momentum at the beginning of 2023. He registered five sacks in his first six games then the production slowed down after being traded to the 49ers.
All of that sets up for a player looking to put together the most complete season of his young career in hopes of proving he still have a high ceiling. He’ll also be a pivotal part of the Saints defensive plans. If he lives up to his hype, the Saints may have solved their pass rush woes, even if it’s just for a single season.
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