Chase Young's biggest shortcoming in 2024 was converting pressures into sacks. If the New Orleans Saints are going to start 2025 off strong, Young must fix this flaw against Kyler Murray and the Cardinals.
Barring any injuries, 2025 could be a career year for Young in Brandon Staley’s defense. It’s reminiscent of the scheme Young played in his rookie year in Washington, where he totaled 7.5 sacks. This scheme is a lot more simple and allows him to fly to the quarterback.
Young signed a 3 year, $51 million contract this offseason, and it received lots of backlash as Young only totaled 5.5 sacks last year. However, this stat doesn’t tell the whole story. Diving deeper, Young's biggest issue can be seen: finishing plays.
Young will immediately be tested against the Cardinals
Young didn’t have a great year statistically; his impact on the field is a different story. Despite not being able to finish sacks, he was constantly in the backfield. He ended the year with 66 pressures per PFF, and that was good for seventh in the league. Young has the talent, he just needs to bring the quarterback down.
It’s no secret, the Saints have struggled against mobile quarterbacks in the past. They will be tested right away as they face off against Kyler Murray. Murray is coming off a season where he tallied 572 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
The thing that he does best is extend plays. Murray is an escape artist, evading tackles until he finds his receiver open downfield. Young, and the rest of the defensive line, will be of vital importance. Finishing at the quarterback takes away the backyard football aspect and will benefit the back end of the Saints defense
The Saints secondary is full of potential, but young. They can’t be stranded for an extended time. The defensive line has to speed up Murray and either force him to get the ball off quickly or bring him down themselves. This would put significantly less pressure on the secondary.
Chase Young needs to improve at finishing plays. He’s in the backfield enough, he just needs to wrap up the quarterback. His offseason work will be tested immediately against Kyler Murray and the Cardinals. Young and the rest of the defensive line needs to pressure Murray and not allow him to pick apart the secondary.