Chase Young is still only 24 years old.
He appears to have been around for a much longer period of time, owing to the many twists and turns throughout his NFL career. He was an early star with the Washington Commanders after being selected second overall in the NFL draft, but he went missing for a period owing to injuries. He was moved to the San Francisco 49ers last season and didn’t make much of an impression until the Super Bowl, when he recorded a sack and other notable plays.
Young has now begun the next chapter of his NFL career. The New Orleans Saints agreed to terms with Young on Monday afternoon, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the two parties agreed on a one-year, $13 million contract.
There is still hope, especially Young’s, that he can be the player he was at Ohio State and as a rookie in Washington.
Chase Young is slowed by injury.
A few years ago, the prospect of Young becoming a free agency this summer would have sparked fantasies of a massive bidding war.
Young was completely dominant in college at Ohio State. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist, a rarity among defensive players. He was the second overall pick, and nobody questioned it. He was one of the top defensive end prospects in the draft in years.
Young’s first NFL season was very much what everyone predicted. He was a playmaker who won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. His second season was not as successful, as he tore his ACL. His rehabilitation was sluggish. He recorded 1.5 sacks in his second and third seasons combined. The Commanders declined his fifth-year option and traded him to the 49ers last season.
The 49ers have a talented defensive line, and while it took Young some time to find his spot, he was promoted to the starting lineup at the start of the postseason. Young looked explosive in the Super Bowl, which was perfect timing as he prepared to enter free agency.
Given Young’s age, draft pedigree, rookie season, and performance in his final game, there was bound to be a market for him. Just not the one you might have expected when he was a rookie star in Washington.
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