Bold Prediction: Chase Young breaks Saints sack drought

By Ross Jackson

There are many expectations around the New Orleans Saints defense this year. After a down season relative to the team’s recent success on that side of the ball, the Saints are looking for a rebound on defense.

One of the players they’re hoping will lead the charge is edge rusher Chase Young. Young was re-signed by the team this offseason by way of a three-year $51 million contract that could be worth up to $57 million with incentives.

The 2020 second-overall pick will be charged with pioneering revitalization of the pass rush in 2025.

Last year, per Next Gen Stats, Young piled on 73 total pressures, sixth in the NFL among all defensive players. However, Young only recorded 5.5 sacks. A common problem among Saints pass rushers over the last few years has been finishing plays at the quarterback. New Orleans has not had a player with double-digit sacks since Cameron Jordan finished the 2021 season with 12.5 sacks.

This week’s bold prediction ahead of the Saints’ season is that Young will snap that streak, finishing the 2025 season with 10.5 sacks.

That would be a career-high in sacks for the Saints’ defensive end. But last year, with what his teammate Jordan has inferred was inferior coaching, Young managed to see a career-high in pressures after reaching his previous mark of 68 in 2023. 

If Young can continue his upward trajectory in the Big Easy, he could go a long way under new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley and EDGEs coach Jay Rodgers in helping to rebound and improve the Saints’ pass rush.

Chase Young with the stab/chop. @youngchase907 stabs the inside pec, then chops the blocker’s outside arm down to shorten the edge. Pressures the QB! #PassRush #Saints pic.twitter.com/XdRb4FTCfN

— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) August 22, 2024

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