The New Orleans Saints and defensive end Chase Young have agreed to a one-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $13 million, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday.
Young, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, was touted as a prospect out of Ohio State, but the 24-year-old has struggled to live up to expectations so far.
After earning a Pro Bowl selection and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors with Washington in 2020, Young struggled in his sophomore season.
Then, in 2022, he suffered a torn ACL, ending his season after just three games.
source: #Saints I plan to sign a contract with the former. #49ers Pass rusher Chase Young, new weapon off the edge.
The 2020 overall second-place selection will make a new start. pic.twitter.com/mgNiwTbwrf
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2024
Washington gave up on Young last season, sending him to the San Francisco 49ers for a third-round pick in November. (Related: Star linebacker tragically retires at age 28)
While Young had a solid tenure in San Francisco — he did make it to the Super Bowl, after all — his role in the Bay diminished, and he played more snaps as a rotational pass rusher than his draft slot would have warranted. There were also few.
Young is currently headed to New Orleans for a demonstration deal that will allow the promising young rusher to jumpstart his career.
He joins Cameron Jordan, one of the best pass rushers in the history of the game, and will undoubtedly learn a lot from the aging superstar.
Jordan, now 34 years old, is a lifelong Saint and the longest-tenured player on the roster.
But outside of Jordan (and stud cornerback Marshon Lattimore), the defense is pretty thin. Starting pitchers Zach Baun and Isaac Yiadom left as free agents.
For Young, this contract is a chance to prove he is worthy of a big contract. For the Saints, it’s based on their hopes that Young can fulfill the potential he showed as a rookie and help them make the playoffs.
