Chase Young's Future: What's Next After $13M Deal?

Is Chase Young's future as bright as his potential once suggested? His recent contract, a $13 million deal for 2024, marks his third team since Halloween, raising questions about his long-term value and ability to live up to the hype that surrounded him upon entering the league.

The New Orleans Saints defensive end, Chase Young, is poised to become a free agent in 2025. This impending shift has sparked speculation about his next contract and the potential financial implications for both the player and any interested teams. The analysts at Spotrac and other financial experts are closely monitoring Young's performance and projecting his fair market value, considering his history, current production, and the overall market for defensive ends.

Young's recent contract with the New Orleans Saints, though seemingly lucrative on the surface, warrants closer examination. The three-year, $51 million deal, which averages $17 million annually, positions him as the 26th-highest-paid defensive end/edge defender among the 244 signed in 2024. This context is crucial because it demonstrates that, while he is well-compensated, he isn't yet considered among the absolute elite in his position, despite the initial hype. The contract included a substantial signing bonus of $17 million, with $33 million guaranteed, reflecting the Saints' investment in his potential.

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The financial structure of Young's contract reveals further nuances. In 2025, he is slated to earn a base salary of $1,170,000, coupled with a $17,000,000 signing bonus. However, the contract's cap hit, which accounts for the total cost against the team's salary cap, will be $6,842,000. The dead cap value, the amount of money the team is still responsible for if the player is released or traded, stands at a considerable $36,294,000. This high dead cap value underscores the Saints' commitment to Young but also limits their flexibility in roster management if his performance doesn't meet expectations.

In the 2024 season, Young recorded 5.5 sacks for the New Orleans Saints, a respectable but not overwhelming number for a player of his caliber. He also managed six forced fumbles, a statistic that highlights his ability to disrupt the offense and create turnovers, and ranked second nationally with 21.5 tackles for a loss. While these numbers indicate his playmaking ability, they also highlight the areas where he needs to improve to justify his high salary, particularly in terms of consistently getting to the quarterback.

It's worth noting that Young is moving from one potential future Hall of Fame defensive line teammate to another, meaning he's surrounded by talent and experience. The Saints' defensive line is considered among the best in the league, which is expected to elevate Young's performance and provide him with opportunities to thrive. This environment provides the opportunity to learn and develop, which can be extremely beneficial for a player seeking to reach his full potential. However, the fact that he's moved to his third team in a relatively short span raises questions about his fit within the team and the impact of coaching.

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The comparisons between Young's contract and those of veterans like Cameron Jordan and Tyrann Mathieu, who returned to the Saints on more team-friendly deals, are also significant. As analyst pointed out, Jordan and Mathieu are aging veterans who returned on team friendly contracts, while Young and Johnson got paid more than expected with their production. This highlights a debate about the value of paying for potential versus paying for proven performance. Many question whether Young's production has matched his compensation. This is a critical factor in assessing his overall value to the team.

Young's career began with immense promise. Winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020, he appeared poised to become one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL. This early success fueled high expectations, and his draft position (second overall) amplified the pressure. However, his career has been punctuated by injuries and periods of inconsistent play. The recent medical procedure adds another layer of uncertainty to his outlook, and the effects of this procedure on his availability and performance are something to watch.

The Saints have several players slated to enter free agency, and Chase Young is arguably the biggest name of the group. The Saints' willingness to let Young go into free agency rather than negotiating a long-term extension indicates their doubt about his value and consistency. His future is now in his hands to prove his value and demonstrate his ability to play at an elite level. The question that remains is whether he can become the dominant force many once predicted he would be.

The critical assessment from some quarters regarding Young's contract centers on whether his performance justifies the financial investment. Critics have highlighted that contracts are ultimately judged by the player's production on the field. The Saints' acquisition of Young signals that they believe his best days are ahead, and his performance in the coming years will be crucial in determining whether the gamble pays off.

Young himself is aware of the areas where he can improve. He has expressed a desire for more of his pressures to result in sacks, which underscores his focus on the most important stat for a defensive end. His development will be essential for his success in the NFL.

The narrative around Chase Young's career has taken several twists and turns. From the heights of his rookie year to the challenges of injuries and transitions, he's faced obstacles that have reshaped the trajectory of his career. His path serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of professional sports and the importance of consistency in achieving long-term success. The future of Chase Young is now a story of his own writing, but the next chapter will be written on the field.