Chase Young, the 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints. The contract is fully guaranteed and will bring the former Ohio State standout to his third team in five seasons.

The Washington Commanders selected Young with the second overall pick in the 2020 draft. He immediately made an impact, tallying 7.5 sacks, 44 tackles, four pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and a defensive touchdown. Those numbers also earned him a Pro Bowl selection.

However, after a successful rookie season, injuries derailed his promising career. He played only nine games in 2021 due to a torn ACL that required grafting. A year later, Young suited up in only three games.

Washington declined his fifth-year option before the 2023 season. Likewise, they traded him to the San Francisco 49ers in November for a 2024 third-round pick. Young had 2.5 sacks in nine games with the 49ers and sacked Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl 58.

However, those outputs were insufficient to secure him an extension with the Niners, making him a free agent.

The Saints badly need help in the pass rush because Cameron Jordan finished with only 2.5 sacks despite playing all 17 games last season. Meanwhile, Payton Turner and Isaiah Foskey have been disappointing. As a unit, they finished with 34 sacks, the fifth-worst total in 2023 and their lowest production since 2016.

In addition to Jordan, Turner, and Foskey, Young will join Carl Granderson, Khalen Saunders, Nathan Shepherd, and Bryan Bresee on the New Orleans defensive line.

-Lance Fernandez