Chase Young

Career StatsB

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		72	32.0	169	28
2025		12	10.0	38	5
2024		17	5.5	31	7.5
2023		16

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Saints landed a solid value play with Chase Young's three-year, $51M extension, earning a C+ CVI that reflects shrewd roster building rather than a blockbuster acquisition. At $17M annually, New Orleans secured a solid starter at a price point that aligns perfectly with his current production tier — not the elite pass rusher many projected when he entered the league, but a reliable contributor who can anchor their defensive front. Young's age works in the Saints' favor here, as he's still young enough to potentially unlock another gear while the guaranteed money ($27.2M) provides reasonable protection without crippling future flexibility. The contract structure suggests New Orleans believes they can maximize Young's talent in their system without betting the farm on a full breakout that may never come. This deal represents smart asset management — the Saints avoided both the mistake of letting quality depth walk and the trap of paying for unrealized potential at premium prices.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Chase's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Chase Young remains an elite pass-rusher despite a down trajectory, posting a B grade as a six-year veteran anchoring New Orleans' defensive line. The former top-five pick has compiled 72 career games of productive film, establishing himself as a reliable run-defender and quarterback disruptor. His current season represents a modest recovery from last year's B-minus grade, though notably stronger than his 2023 C-plus performance. Young's pass-rush metrics stand well above league average, logging 0.83 sacks per game against the NFL average of 0.19, approaching elite territory at 0.66. His 1.25 quarterback hits per game outpace the 0.43 average and rank among starting-caliber defenders, demonstrating consistent pressure generation. Tackle for loss production at 0.42 per game trails elite standards of 0.68 but remains above the 0.27 baseline, reflecting solid gap discipline. The concern centers on consistency and health—his three-year trend from C-plus to B-minus to B-plus suggests volatility rather than sustained dominance that defined his Washington days. Moving forward, Young's ceiling remains a high-quality starter in a declining phase, no longer the perennial Pro Bowl threat but still capable of double-digit sack seasons in the right scheme. The Saints' defensive line investments suggest organizational confidence in his availability and production. Monitor whether the 2025 uptick signals stabilization or merely noise; sustained B-plus performance would confirm his relevance as a veteran anchor rather than a regression to 2023 form.

How Chase Compares at the Position

Chase Young ranks 21st of 147 graded defensive ends by performance. That slots Chase between Travon Walker (B+) just ahead and Carl Granderson (B) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Chase Young enters the 2026 season riding genuine momentum after a breakout 2025 campaign with the Saints that has positioned him squarely on All-Pro watch lists across major outlets. Media coverage has shifted decidedly in his favor, with narratives emphasizing his resurgence and readiness rather than the injury-plagued inconsistency that defined his Washington and Philadelphia tenures. At 26 years old on a reasonable $17M annual contract, Young represents a reclamation story that resonates with both analysts and fans—a former DROY proving doubters wrong. The 'chip on his shoulder' framing suggests he has internalized past criticism and is channeling it productively, a storyline that typically elevates fan perception of veteran edge rushers. Overall sentiment reflects cautious optimism tempered by the understanding that sustained production, not one strong season, will cement his status as a legitimate Pro Bowl-caliber defender.