When the New Orleans Saints signed Chase Young in 2024, it was viewed as a gamble. The young defender wasn’t playing his best football at the time, and a day after joining the Saints, it was announced that he would undergo a neck surgery. That’s why New Orleans only signed him to a one-year prove it deal.
Young understood the assignment, and a year later, he signed a three-year deal worth $51 million to remain with the Saints. During his two seasons in New Orleans, the veteran defender has quietly built himself back into one of the league’s best pass rushers.
While Young hopes to continue that development in 2026, he has even bigger plans for his role with the team. The veteran defender spoke with the media on Thursday and explained that he’s ready to step into a leadership role.
Chase Young is ready to step into a leadership role for the Saints
"I’m ready man, I been working. I been playing football my whole life for these type of moments. I’m not the person to shy away from leadership or anything like that. I definitely know that I’m capable of filling the void and I believe I will."Chase Young
Considering New Orleans’ transition into a new era, having a young, key player from the new era become a leader for the team is exactly what the Saints need.
When asked to describe his leadership style, Young said, “loud, talkative, energizer bunny,” before explaining that he wants the team to be able to lead together, picking each other up and holding each other accountable.
It’s great that this is on the mind of Saints players, because the team needs new leaders. The franchise has quickly shifted from a team with a bunch of established stars who have been around forever, to a team with young players all over the lineup. New Orleans even has a head coach in his second year ever as a head coach, and a second-year quarterback.
Both Cam Jordan and Alvin Kamara were brought back this offseason, but it appears to be the final ride for them. With guys like Demario Davis already gone, the Saints need a new core of leaders to navigate this new era. Chase Young is making it clear that he will be one of them.
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