Tag: Chase Young

Chase Young tied his career-high in pressures against the Giants

Next Gen Stats: Chase Young has the fourth-most quarterback pressures in the NFL, having tied his single-game career-high against the Giants on Sunday

Chase Young led the New Orleans Saints in pressures. against the New York Giants. He may not have brought down Drew Lock, but, per Next Gen Stats, Young recorded 10 pressures, nine of which came against Joshua Ezeudu. This performance ties Young’s career high in pressures.

No Saint has recorded this many pressures in a game this year. To make it even more impressive, Young registered six pressures in less than 2.5 seconds. That’s the most quick pressures by a Saints defender since 2018.

In a way, this game is a microcosm of Young’s season with the Saints. Sacks continue to elude the free agent acquisition, but he’s been getting pressures all year. He entered the game with the fifth-most pressures in the NFL, and moved into fourth place after Sunday’s high output.

Some feel as if Young isn’t living up to the hype because of low sack numbers. He’s only at 3.5 on the season, which ranks fourth on the team. On a similar note, that would be one of the reasons his game could have flown under the radar.

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Best for the Commanders: Chase Young or Dante Fowler?

The Commanders face Chase Young this week.

Chase Young or Dante Fowler?

Bet you probably never thought you would be asking yourself that question.

Fowler, a current Commanders defensive end, not only likes to wear jersey number six but has also played on six NFL teams in his nine NFL seasons.

Young, was not only a first-round draft choice like Fowler, but he was more than a few times said to be “a generational talent,” leading up to his being selected second overall by Washington GM and HC Ron Rivera in the 2020 NFL draft.

Most fans don’t realize Fowler was the third overall selection in the 2015 NFL draft. Yet, Fowler suffered a season-ending injury his rookie season before he even saw a regular season game. Then came 2016 and 2017, when Fowler had only started one game.

There were two seasons with the Rams (2018-19), two with the Falcons (2020-21), and Cowboys and Dan Quinn (2022-23), and with Quinn now in Washington in 2024.

Young was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. However, he then determined that though 89 players showed up to work in the offseason team workouts, he didn’t need to. He frustrated coaches in 2021, rushing recklessly away from the assigned pass-rush lanes.

A serious knee injury ended his highly disappointing 2021 season. In 2022, he again disappointed coaches by not returning when doctors said he was ready.

Young was traded to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 season. He was on a Super Bowl team, yet he was caught on camera several times simply not putting in the effort needed.

Consequently, Young became a free agent and looked for the best deal he could receive from an NFL team. That team was the New Orleans Saints, the Commanders’ next opponent.

Fowler is having his best NFL season since 2019 (Rams) when he generated 11.5 sacks, 16 TFL and 16 QB hits. With four games remaining, Fowler has racked up 8.5 sacks, 30 tackles (19 solo, 11 assisted), and 11 TFL. Fowler even has a pick-6 against the Panthers this season.

Young, on the other hand, collected 7.5 sacks and 10 TFLs in his rookie season. He did have 7.5 sacks in 2023, yet his tackles were much less. This season for the Saints, Young has 3.5 sacks, 22 tackles and six TFLs.

One would think Young has had Sunday vs the Commanders marked for some time now.

Fowler probably won’t say anything all week. But he will show up Sunday and make some nice defensive plays.

Comparing two hypothetical trade pitches for Chase Young

Chase Young’s contract makes him an appealing trade target and The 33rd Team has crafted two trade packages for the Saints edge rusher:

The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday afternoon. One of the New Orleans Saints players you’ll hear thrown around often is Chase Young. His one year contract makes him very appealing to a team looking to get over the hump this year but doesn’t want to be connected to him long term.

This was the team’s intention with Young when they signed him in free agency. The Saints didn’t trend the intended direction this year, but another team could view Young the same way.

The 33rd Team projected two potential suitors for Young, the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Both of these teams are true NFC contenders. If both of these hypotheticals were on the table, the Saints should go with the Lions offer.

In this exercise, the Lions offered a fourth round pick while the Packers offered a fifth rounder. It’s an easy decision there. The Saints have a built-in relationship with the Lions and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them work together at the deadline. Matter of fact, Detroit has a need for the Saints biggest bargaining chips, Marshon Lattimore and Young. The trade deadline is 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Let’s see if the Saints cut a deal.

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Opinion: Coaching change should lead to a fire sale by New Orleans

Dennis Allen didn’t want to sell at the trade deadline. With him no longer in New Orleans, the Saints should turn into active participants:

The Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly inquired about Marshon Lattimore. Not only should the New Orleans Saints answer the call, they should try to make that deal happen for the right price.

When Dennis Allen was the head coach, that likely wouldn’t have happened. Allen understood where he stood, and he couldn’t afford to tear it down. His job was at stake. With Allen no longer with the team, the organization needs to be looking towards the future.

Trade away pieces and collect picks should be the mission with the trade deadline approaching. Chase Young, in addition to Lattimore, would be the ultimate trade piece. Young could be an even better piece than Lattimore.

Lattimore proved he can still be one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Unfortunately for him and the Saints, Lattimore has been dealing with injuries for the past three seasons.

If you can get a mid round selection for either of these players it would be smart to make it happen. New Orleans needs to accumulate talent, and trading players to get picks and get younger may be the way to go.

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Chase Young’s long-awaited sack didn’t even count

Chase Young’s long-awaited third sack against the Carolina Panthers was all for naught. The play didn’t count, and the box score shut him out:

Chase Young only had two sacks over the course of eight games with the New Orleans Saints, and even though his drought ended against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, it was all for naught.

Young’s sack on Panthers quarterback Bryce Young occurred on a two-point try in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and therefore did not ultimately count. He was shut out on the box score.

And, to make matters even worse, it happened in a game the Saints lost so closely, falling 23-22 to the Panthers.

He came into the game with — and still totals for that matter — 18 combined tackles (11 solo) with two sacks and one pass defensed. As a player who was formerly a second overall pick, he has far from lived up to the expectations of what he was supposed to be coming out of Ohio State.

The Saints now sit on a seven-game losing streak with a legitimate case to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. Getting back to the right side of the win column will be essential as New Orleans continues its season against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 10.

That’s going to be a tough task given just how hot the Falcons are right now, coming off of a 27-21 win over the Dallas Cowboys as firmly the best team in the NFC South.

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Bengals trade for massive name in proposed deadline deal

The Bengals would be smart to make this type of move at the deadline.

The Cincinnati Bengals will apparently be buyers by the NFL trade deadline this week.

That makes proposed trade ideas from around the NFL landscape pretty interesting to look at, to say the least.

Case in point, a trade idea that sends New Orleans Saints pass-rusher Chase Young to Cincinnati, courtesy of The 33rd Team’s Tyler Booke:

Pressure on opposing quarterbacks can compensate for many issues on a defense, and the Bengals have enough offensive firepower to force opponents to continue passing the ball. A Hendrickson-Young duo on third downs could make things much harder for offensive lines to plan for with their pass protection.

Bengals fans don’t need told just how bad the team’s pass-rush is outside of Trey Hendrickson. They also don’t need told about Young, the former Ohio State star who went second overall in 2020.

In this proposed deal, the Bengals only surrender a fifth-round pick, getting back Young and a 2026 sixth-round pick. And he’s on a one-year deal, too, making it a half-season rental as the team hopes to make a playoff push.

Compared to other Bengals trade ideas, this is more in line with what the Bengals should be looking to do — leverage middling assets into proven production.

Yes, Young hasn’t met draft expectations and there are issues, otherwise he wouldn’t be available. But he could excel in Cincinnati’s scheme opposite Hendrickson, which would put the Bengals in a better position to contend now and potentially keep around a 25-year-old asset for the long-term.

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Are teams calling the Saints before the NFL trade deadline?

Dennis Allen says the New Orleans Saints aren’t in “sell mode” before the NFL trade deadline, but do they really have that much to sell?

Dennis Allen says the New Orleans Saints aren’t in “sell mode,” before the NFL trade deadline, but do they really have that much to sell? It’s doubtful the Saints would entertain offers, but everyone listens when the phone rings. Especially with the cutoff scheduled for 3 p.m. CT next Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Who would teams inquire about on the Saints’ roster? Alvin Kamara was a popular trade candidate over the offseason, but his new contract takes him out of the running for that. Marshon Lattimore is at the top of the list along with Chase Young. However, trading either of those players would signify giving up on the season. Allen’s statement makes it clear neither is expected to be dealt.

Pieces like Bryan Bresee, Chris Olave or Erik McCoy are young enough to be a part of a rebuild. Team captains like Demario Davis, Cameron Jordan and Tyrann Mathieu aren’t going anywhere. That’s the divide on the team. They have aging veterans and rising stars who the team likely looks at as untouchable.

Lattimore and Young are the players who will likely generate the most interest. Lattimore was another player in constant trade talks during the offseason. His constant battle with hamstring injuries could scare teams off.

Young was brought in to elevate the pass rush. New Orleans’ trajectory as a team isn’t where they were hoping it would be this offseason. Young has done a good job getting pressures, and teams who are real contenders may see him as the cherry on top, as was the case last year when the San Francisco 49ers acquired him. But unless another team makes a really compelling offer, it doesn’t sound like the Saints are interested.

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Garett Bolles went viral after he ‘manhandled’ Chase Young on ‘TNF’

Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles easily dispatched Saints pass rusher Chase Young on this play!

In the fourth quarter of a Thursday Night Football showdown in Week 7, Denver Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles easily tossed New Orleans Saints pass rusher Chase Young to the ground while protecting quarterback Bo Nix.

The play quickly went viral on social media and reactions poured in from fans and pundits on Twitter/X.

“Garett Bolles just manhandles Chase Young,” Brandon Perna tweeted after the play.

Added another fan: “Garett Bolles just threw Chase Young out the club! #Security 💀”

“Bolles looks like he can’t believe it was that easy to swat him onto the floor 🤦‍♂️😂,” one fan wrote.

“I could watch this all day,” a Broncos fan tweeted.

Check it out:

Young received plenty of criticism for the play.

“dude is so hard to watch and his effort on some plays is just pitiful,” one Saints fan commented.

Added another fan: “All that left tackle did was sneeze. Damn, Chase.”

As for Bolles, he had an excellent game. The veteran left tackle finished the night as Denver’s best offensive player based on Pro Football Focus grades (83.1). PFF gave him a 90.6 pass-blocking grade and credited him with zero pressures allowed in a 33-10 win.

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ESPN suggests Saints could move a starter at the NFL trade deadline

If they keep losing, ESPN suggests the New Orleans Saints could move a starter at the NFL trade deadline. But would they trade Chase Young?

If they keep losing, ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler suggested the New Orleans Saints could move a starter at the NFL trade deadline. But would they trade Chase Young? That would be the clearest signal Mickey Loomis could send that his team is going in the tank, but you can’t imagine that’s something head coach Dennis Allen would sign off on.

Still, never say never. Teams like the Detroit Lions are desperate for a pass rusher after losing Aidan Hutchinson to a broken leg. Here’s the case for dealing Young at the Nov. 5 trade deadline from ESPN:

Graziano: What about Chase Young? The Saints really like the guy and could be interested in signing him to a long-term deal, but if they check in and don’t feel good about their chances of doing that, could he be on the move for the second deadline in a row?

Fowler: That’s not a bad call. Young signed a one-year deal with New Orleans in hopes of parlaying it into a new contract with the team. With the Saints sitting at 2-4, perhaps the organization would listen to offers closer to the deadline. I’d be mildly surprised if anything happens. Young garnered a third-round pick in last year’s trade from Washington to San Francisco, and now that he’s fully healthy and playing productive snaps, I would surmise New Orleans wouldn’t accept anything less in a deal, if it even considers it.

It feels unlikely. While they haven’t reflected it on the weekly depth chart, Young has replaced Cameron Jordan in the starting lineup. Young has taken almost all of the snaps from the right defensive end spot, with Carl Granderson playing ahead of Jordan on the left side. He’s become a critically important player for the Saints up front.

Young may not have the sacks (1.5 in 6 games) but he generates a ton of pressure and demands attention from the offensive line. His 25 quarterback pressures at Pro Football Focus rank ninth-most at defensive end. Granderson has had 26 pressures, which are fourth-most. Jordan ranks 49th with 11.

If you read the writing on the wall and look at the salary cap sheet, it sure looks like the Saints are hoping Young can be the long-term replacement for Jordan. This could be the last year for No. 94 if he chooses to retire and start a full-time career in football media. Jordan’s cap hit next year is over $20 million but just $9 million of it is guaranteed. The math is pretty simple there.

Still, Young will be a free agent in 2025, and the best compensation the Saints could hope for if he leaves is a third-round pick in 2026. It’s certainly possible things deteriorate so badly this season that they decide to trade him, get a third rounder (or better) a year sooner, and then restart the search for Jordan’s replacement. But it sure would be more convenient if that guy were already in the building making plays across from Granderson.

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What is keeping the Saints defense from being elite?

The New Orleans Saints’ struggles along the defensive line are holding them back. They’ve got to make more plays up front to join the league elite:

The New Orleans Saints defense has been the backbone of this team for a while now. It became more prominent after Drew Brees retired. The revolving door of quarterbacks mixed with the absence of Michael Thomas.

At that point, the defense transitioned into being the face of the team. Demario Davis, Marshon Lattimore and Tyrann Mathieu are three of the biggest names on the team.

The unit has been elite for years, but that isn’t the case anymore. Why?

Outside of Carl Granderson and Bryan Bresee, there’s no other defensive linemen you can count on. The defensive line is a weak point of the defense and is one of the weakest parts of the team.

The lack of pressure on the quarterback allows them to sit back in the pocket and attack the secondary. Quarterbacks haven’t been forced into many rushed decisions because of pass rush. The Saints’ run defense has waned over the years as well.

If you struggle in the trenches, it’s near impossible to be great on that side of the ball. That goes for offense and defense. The Saints inability to close out games is the biggest headline, but they’ve had their struggles mid game.

The Saints have played bend but don’t break defense. The Eagles and Falcons drove the ball down the field repeatedly, and the Saints forced field goals. The struggles along the defensive line are the biggest contributing factor to this. There’s only so long you can bend but not break.

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