The New Orleans Saints defense dramatically improved in 2025, in part due to Chase Young's career year. For that reason, he is the team's Defensive Player of the Year.
In his second season in New Orleans, Young was ferocious on defense, gathering 38 tackles, four passes defended, and a career-best 10 sacks. He didn't even play a full season due to a calf strain at the beginning of the year. That gives his stat line a little bit of extra spice, because if he played a full 17 game season instead of just 12 games, it could look even better.
If Young had played a full season in 2025, he would be projected to have 14 sacks, 53 tackles, and five passes defended. That would have been two additional personal bests along with sacks. It's hard to believe that Young could have had that much more of a leap. However, when you get him talking about his new defense, you might find out how it might've been possible.
Saints DE Chase Young's career year partly because of Brandon Staley
This upcoming offseason will be Chase Young's first full offseason under defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. A system that, by his own words, lets him fly. "We fight, man. We fight. I give my hats off to our leader, Coach Staley. Hell of a leader, man." Young said after a week 15 game against the Carolina Panthers. "He's always challenging us. he's always talking about controlling what we can control."
Staley put the Saints edge rushers in a wider alignment and emphasized athleticism. Power was the focus under Dennis Allen, and Young and Carl Granderson played a little heavier because of that focus. Young dropped some weight last offseason, and it was a great move for Young. He used his speed and quick get off to quickly get pressure on the quarterback.
Not only did he get pressure, Young turned it into sacks this year. That was the biggest change from a year ago. That part you can't put on Staley. Young needed to improve as a finisher, and he did. Most importantly, he finished on third downs and critical situations. True impact players make plays at the biggest moments. That's what Young did in 2025.
Young already had a new career best in sacks (10) in the games he did play in this year, and he was on pace to set more career bests if the season didn't end when it did. So flying is putting it mildly. In 2025, Young was practically soaring. With the potential of a full season and the certainty of a second season under Staley, his 2026 season will be one to watch.