Chase Young enters a career-defining NFL season with the New Orleans Saints, aiming to solidify his status as a defensive leader ahead of their historic fixture in France. Following a resurgent 2025 campaign under a three-year contract, the defensive end looks to permanently shed past injury labels.
Fantasy & Market Impact
The Turning Point in New Orleans
After opening the autumn slate with two road games, the New Orleans Saints return to the Caesars Superdome to face the Las Vegas Raiders. For defensive end Chase Young, the home opener arrives at a crucial juncture. Now wearing a captain’s patch since this year, the 27-year-old is tasked with anchoring an aggressive front-seven. The stakes stretch far beyond domestic play. The franchise is scheduled to participate in the first-ever NFL game in France at the end of October, placing Young squarely on an international stage.
https://x.com/Saints/status/2101746654890033383
Last weekend’s 24-17 victory over the Baltimore Ravens proved that Young’s upward trajectory in Louisiana is no fluke. Selected second overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by Washington after a run at Ohio State, Young initially lived up to the hype by securing NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. But the physical toll caught up to him. An anterior cruciate ligament tear in November 2021 derailed his momentum, forcing him to miss 22 games and sapping the explosive first-step quickness that earned him the nickname “The Predator.”
Rebuilding the Resume in the Bayou
Stints with Washington and a subsequent trade to the San Francisco 49ers—where he played in a Super Bowl—left his market value suppressed entering free agency in 2024. Opting for a fresh start with the Saints proved to be the diagnostic pivot his career needed. Following a first year in the system, New Orleans rewarded him with a three-year, $51 million contract. Young immediately validated the front-office investment during the 2025 campaign, racking up 10 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 15 quarterback hits across 12 appearances.
| Team / Season | Games Played | Sacks | Tackles for Loss | QB Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints (2025) | 12 | 10.0 | 11 | 15 |
“I’ve been through a lot in this league,” Young acknowledged during a media session coordinated for French outlets. The veteran pass rusher appears adapted to the Saints’ scheme. “I’m happy to be in this organisation, which is used to winning. We just see a version of me focused, who loves his team and someone who gives it his all and works hard.”
Stepping Into Cam Jordan’s Shadow
The defensive structure in New Orleans relies heavily on leadership transition. Longtime defensive cornerstone Cam Jordan, now 37, has been the face of the squad for fifteen years. Young is stepping in as the successor to Jordan.
Yet, durability remains the ultimate variable in evaluating Young’s ceiling. Despite his disruptive efficiency in 2025, he still missed five contests due to physical fragility. If his body withstands the schedule, the Saints possess a game-wrecker capable of dominating opposing offensive tackles.
The matchup against Las Vegas offers an immediate opportunity to pad defensive metrics against the worst team in the league in 2025. As the Saints balance a competitive domestic schedule with the historic logistical leap to France in late October, Chase Young stands at the center of their tactical ambitions.
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