One of the top remaining 2024 NFL free agents is headed to New Orleans.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New Orleans Saints have signed defensive end Chase Young to a one-year contract worth $13 million. The entire amount is guaranteed, according to Schefter.
Comp update: Free-agent DE Chase Young plans to sign a one-year, fully guaranteed $13 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, per sources. pic.twitter.com/sXqHvgTo2S
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2024
The former No. 2 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft has had an up-and-down career through his first four NFL seasons, to say the very least. By joining the likes of Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis and Marshon Lattimore in New Orleans, Young is in a good spot to bounce back and reset his value for next year.
Young burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2020 by notching 7.5 sacks, four pass defenses and as many forced fumbles. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year after leading Washington to a surprise NFC East division crown.
Willie Gay Jr. and Chase Young getting added to the Saints defense is quite insane on paper.
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) March 18, 2024
Unfortunately, a season-ending ACL tear limited Young to nine games in his sophomore 2021 season. Young missed all but three games in the 2022 campaign as he continued to recover from surgery.
After notching five sacks for Washington in seven games last season, Chase Young was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. In nine game appearances, Young had 2.5 sacks and one pass breakup. He added one sack in three postseason games.
Chase Young Is The Saints’ First Big Offseason Signing
Saints GM Mickey Loomis had to spend the early stages of the offseason cutting salary, which included releasing Michael Thomas and Marcus Maye in cap-saving moves.
But Loomis finally made a big move on Monday, adding a former second overall pick to a defense that finished eighth in scoring last season. Carl Granderson led New Orleans with just 8.5 sacks last season, so Chase Young’s presence will be welcomed in open arms.
New Orleans is coming off a disappointing 9-8 finish that saw them fall just short of reaching the postseason. Young, fresh off a trip to Super Bowl 58, will try his hand in leading the team back to the playoffs after a four-year absence.
