The New Orleans Saints had many moves over the offseason, the biggest of which was the re-signing of defensive end Chase Young to a three-year, $51 million extension. However, just two weeks into the 2025 National Football League season, the team might already regret the signing.
During the first set of practices of the regular season, the former second overall pick suffered a calf injury. For the Saints, this has to be disappointing, as Young was expected to be a huge part of their defense under Brandon Staley. Young himself has even expressed his excitement for his new defense. "I'm loving what I'm hearing, how we'll be going to the edges, how we'll be able to fly," he said when asked about his conversations with his new defensive coordinator.
The former Los Angeles Chargers head coach gave Young his flowers ahead of the season. "He’s still a really young player; he’s only 26 years old. And No. 2, he's healthy,” he said to neworleans.football. “He had a knee injury and then a neck injury. In between all that stuff, you know, he was the Defensive Rookie of the Year, his team made the playoffs in Washington once, and he played in a Super Bowl (with the 49ers). He's accomplished a lot in between, but it's been a tough stretch."
Saints DE Chase Young isn't new to injuries
There were people who questioned the decision to give Young that extension when it happened. He was coming off a season with just 5..5 sacks. Many didn't think his production warranted the deal. Injuries weren't even factored into the displeasure.
Young's current injury was initially described as not a long-term injury by the man himself, but it has held out the starter from the first two home games of the year. He's already been ruled out of Sunday's contest versus the Seahawks.
Unfortunately for Chase Young, injuries aren't a new thing for him. In fact, it is something that is all too familiar to the young star, as this is the third injury in his career to keep him out for weeks at a time.
Back in 2021, he suffered a season-ending ACL tear and ruptured patellar tendon. In 2023, he suffered a neck stinger, which kept him out of the preseason and the first week of the regular season, also effectively ending his time in Washington. That same injury would require surgery after the 2023 season, despite the fact that '23 was his best season since his rookie year.
When healthy, Young has shown he can be a top aggressor in the league. Just look back to last year, when he led all defensive ends in pressures. However, if he can't get on the field, then he might just be stealing the Saints' money.