Veteran defensive end Chase Young signed a one-year, prove it deal with the New Orleans Saints last season, with the goal to prove that he is still a young, dominant edge defender. Now, a year later, many believe that Young delivered, and that he’s set to get paid in free agency this offseason.
The Saints didn’t have much success this past season with Young, only winning five games, and the veteran defensive end didn’t even have that many sacks, recording just 5.5. However, he was a constant presence in opposing backfields, frequently providing pressure on quarterbacks. While it would’ve been great if those pressures were converted into sacks, Young showed he can still consistently get after the quarterback.
Now, the question is where will he go next. With the Saints having very little cap room, a return seems unlikely. However, Chase Young could ultimately find himself in a better position. Recently, NFL analyst Matt Bowen named the best team fit for ESPN’s top 50 free agents, and Young was linked to a great destination. Bowen argued that the Detroit Lions would be an ideal landing spot for the free agent defensive end.
Lions named as the best fit for veteran defensive end Chase Young
Bowen detailed how Young would be a great pairing with Aidan Hutchinson, and how this is a move that would benefit both parties.
"Here's a fun one. Detroit coach Dan Campbell could add Young to pair with Aidan Hutchinson off the edge. Young notched 5.5 sacks with the Saints in 2024, and his 46 pressures tied for 11th most in the league. He'd be a low-risk signing with upside."Matt Bowen (ESPN)
For Young, ESPN’s 39th ranked free agent, he’d join one of the best teams in the league. Detroit is 27-7 in the last two years, and has been knocking at the door of a Super Bowl. One of the weaknesses for the Lions, though, is defensive depth. Adding a player like Young would help elevate that defensive unit.
While the move makes sense, Chase Young is probably looking for long-term security, and not another one-year deal. So whether he ends up in Detroit or not could ultimately come down to the contract he’s offered.