By Ross Jackson
The New Orleans Saints didn’t go out and sign market-setting deals as free agency opened this offseason. But that doesn’t mean that they didn’t make any impactful moves. Along with new additions like safety Justin Reid and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, New Orleans took its usual approach of focusing on retaining talent just as much as adding new faces.
The Saints’ three-year, $51 million deal (worth up to $57 million) to re-sign edge rusher Chase Young could be their most impactful offseason move, particularly with the shift in defensive scheme.
A Perfect Fit
Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is already implementing big changes in how the Saints play defense in comparison to the long-running system that former coach Dennis Allen had in place.
The Saints’ defense is developing a new identity with multiple fronts, stand-up edge rushers, increased odd-front looks, nose tackles, and pattern-matching concepts.
That new identity perfectly fits what Young is set to bring to the table.
After success with edge rushers like Khalil Mack, Leonard Floyd, Joey Bosa, and Samson Ebukam, finding a winning formula with Young will not be hard for Staley.
Young Shines In OTAs
Young was with the team during the second week of OTAs, after appearing to be absent the first. In his first action in front of the media on Thursday he looked fast, disruptive, and played with a lot of effort. Even during walkthroughs, Young looked to be going close to 100% when he could do so safely.
The edge defender is being asked to play to his strongest skills in Staley’s system. Young has a diverse pass rush approach, but his speed and fluid movement style are some of his best traits. Each makes it hard for blockers to not only get their hands on him, but keep him engaged when they do. He makes the speed rusher game look effortless because of how well he moves. All of that was on display Thursday.
Building On Last Year
Young piled up 73 total pressures in 2024, No. 6 in the NFL per Next Gen Stats. But his 5.5 sacks otherwise underwhelmed. While the pass rush game is about much more than sacks, being able to finish plays at the quarterback can end drives and get the ball back to the offense. The Saints need more of that after failing to reach 40 sacks in 2025.
With Staley’s system playing to Young’s best traits, that fortune could change. Young is the team’s biggest offseason investment from a financial standpoint. If he can build on his performance from last year in a system more specifically tailored to him, he could be the team’s best defensive piece by season’s end.
