On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints fell to the Los Angeles Rams, 34-10. In the disappointing defeat, defensive end Chase Young was one bright spot for the Saints.
It might seem surprising that after the defense gave up 34 points, one of their own was the best of the game. However, aside from every Tyler Shough complete pass, Young was the only reason that I sat forward in my seat Sunday afternoon. On the day, the former second-overall selection gathered two tackles and one sack.
Young's performance only adds on to the list of impressive games he's had since coming back from injury in week six, showing that he might be worth the new contract he signed this offseason. However, he is unfortunately just one man, and one man can't control the entire defense. The loss in LA is really one that is on the whole team.
Saints DE Chase Young is showing that he is worth the money
In the offseason, one of the more notable free agent signings that the New Orleans Saints made was resigning defensive end Chase Young to a three-year, $51 million extension. Initially called a reach by some, he's slowly but surely showing that he is worth the $17 million a year, gathering nearly a sack a game since his 2025 debut. In fact, the one game where he hasn't taken down the opposing team's quarterback was in his debut against the Patriots.
Young is playing some of the best football of his career right now (never before has he averaged a sack per game); In fact, since his 2025 debut, he has earned one of the highest PFF grades of any edge defender, a 90.5. Only five players are above him: Houston's Will Anderson Jr., Pittsburgh's Nick Herbig, Detroit's Aiden Hutchinson, Green Bay's Micah Parsons, and Cleveland's Myles Garrett.
If at all possible, in the following months, and honestly maybe even longer, the Saints should consider building their defense around Young. The 26-year-old seems to be one of a handful of players on defense that has shown signs of promise in the Kellen Moore era, and he's already locked in for the next few years, so why not?