Chase Young’s Comeback Season Proves the Saints’ Gamble Was Worth It
When the Washington Commanders shipped Chase Young out before the 2023 trade deadline, it felt like the final chapter in a story that never quite lived up to the hype. Drafted No. 2 overall in 2020, Young was supposed to be the cornerstone of Washington’s defense-a game-wrecker off the edge with the kind of upside that keeps offensive coordinators up at night. Instead, injuries, inconsistency, and a strained relationship with the organization led to an early exit.
But sometimes, a change of scenery is exactly what a player needs. And in 2025, Young found his footing in New Orleans-and then some.
A Quiet Resurgence Turns Loud
Young’s first season with the Saints didn’t make huge headlines. It was more of a reset year, a chance to get healthy, learn a new system, and prove he could still impact games.
The Saints clearly saw enough to believe in his upside, locking him down with a three-year, $51 million extension before the 2025 season. That move raised some eyebrows around the league.
After all, Young hadn’t yet put together a full season of elite production. But New Orleans bet on his ceiling-and that bet paid off in a big way.
By the second half of the 2025 season, Young wasn’t just back-he was dominant.
He racked up double-digit sacks for the first time in his career, and he did it in just 12 games. That kind of efficiency doesn't happen by accident. According to Pro Football Focus, Young posted an 86.3 pass-rush grade and a 15.2% pass-rush win rate-elite numbers that back up what the tape showed: a player who was finally healthy, confident, and wreaking havoc.
PFF’s Bradley Locker didn’t mince words, calling Young the Saints’ best signing-or re-signing-of the 2025 offseason. It’s hard to argue. In a league where pass-rushers are at a premium, New Orleans might’ve secured a top-tier talent just as he’s hitting his stride.
A Long Road Back
Young’s journey hasn’t been easy. Injuries derailed much of his early career, and his time in Washington was marked more by frustration than flashes. When the Commanders dealt him for a compensatory third-round pick, it felt like a quiet admission that things just hadn’t worked out.
But that’s what makes this resurgence so compelling. At 26, Young is still in his physical prime, and now he’s playing with the kind of urgency and technical polish that scouts dreamed about when he was dominating at Ohio State. He’s not just winning with athleticism-he’s winning with leverage, timing, and a deeper understanding of how to manipulate offensive linemen.
And while his cap hit jumps to $20.5 million next season, if he keeps producing at this level, that number could look like a bargain. Elite pass-rushers don’t come cheap, and Young’s 2025 tape puts him firmly in that conversation.
What It Means for Washington
For the Commanders, the decision to move on from Young still made sense at the time. The relationship had run its course, and both sides needed a reset. But now, with Young thriving in New Orleans, it’s clear that Washington has a glaring hole to fill on the edge.
New GM Adam Peters didn’t hide from that fact during his end-of-season press conference. The Commanders need pass-rush help, and they need it badly. Whether that comes through the draft, free agency, or a trade, it’s a top priority for a team trying to turn the page and build a sustainable contender.
Young won’t be part of that future, but his story remains a reminder of how quickly things can turn in the NFL. One season, you’re a question mark. The next, you’re the answer.
Looking Ahead
Chase Young’s 2025 campaign wasn’t just a bounce-back-it was a statement. He’s not just surviving in the league; he’s thriving. And if this is the version of Young the Saints get moving forward, they’ve landed themselves a franchise-altering presence on the edge.
It took a few years, a few setbacks, and a new jersey, but Chase Young is finally becoming the player everyone thought he could be. And now, the rest of the league has to deal with it.