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Chase Young: From Commanders Bust to Saints Star
26 Oct
Summary
- Chase Young is a top NFL pass rusher for the Saints.
- He was a high draft pick for the Commanders but traded.
- Young is set for a massive contract extension with the Saints.
In 2026, Chase Young, originally the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders, is performing like the player they envisioned. Now with the New Orleans Saints, Young is a dominant force, currently second in the NFL with 7.0 sacks through seven games as of October 2026. This resurgence comes after his tenure with the Commanders ended midway through the 2023 season and a subsequent trade to the San Francisco 49ers.
Young's career has been dramatically revived with the Saints, who signed him to a three-year, $51 million contract in March 2025. He is expected to command a contract exceeding $40 million per year. Last season, in 2025, Young recorded a career-high 10 sacks in 12 games, overcoming an early-season calf injury. His performance earned him recognition as one of the NFL's best free agent signings of that cycle.
His time with the Commanders was marred by injuries and underperformance, including missing significant portions of the 2021 and 2022 seasons. After a midseason trade to the 49ers in 2023, he played a role player as they reached the Super Bowl. He then signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Saints for the 2024 season, playing in every game and recording 5.5 sacks. Young's turnaround with the Saints highlights a significant turnaround for the former top draft pick.
