Chase Young’s three-year, $51 million contract with the New Orleans Saints has been labeled one of the worst in the NFL for 2025. Critics point to his inconsistent performance and injury history as key reasons why the deal, which includes $33 million guaranteed, raises concerns about its value to the team.
Young entered the league with high expectations as a generational talent out of Ohio State. He showed promise during his rookie season with 7.5 sacks and a Pro Bowl appearance. However, his production has since declined, with just 14.5 sacks over the last four seasons, including only 5.5 sacks in 2024. Injuries have further hindered his ability to perform consistently.
The Saints’ decision to invest heavily in Young comes despite their long-standing salary cap struggles. While his age, 26, suggests he could still reach his prime, critics argue the team is taking a significant financial risk. With limited cap space, committing $17 million annually to a player who has yet to recapture his rookie form has drawn scrutiny from analysts and fans alike.
Supporters of the deal believe Young still has untapped potential and could thrive in New Orleans. They point to his 34 quarterback pressures last season as an indication of his disruptive capabilities. However, skeptics remain wary, viewing the contract as more of a gamble than a calculated investment.
NFL Analysis Explains Why Chase Young’s New Orleans Saints Is One of the Worst in the League
As it stands, Young’s contract with New Orleans isn’t shaping up to be a good one. This is detailed more in an analysis by Kristopher Knox for Bleacher Report.
Contract Terms: three years, $51 million with $33 million guaranteed
Paying $17 million per season for an upper-tier pass-rusher isn’t egregious. However, Young hasn’t been a Pro Bowl player since his 2020 rookie season. He recorded 7.5 sacks that season, hasn’t topped that number since, and has logged just 14.5 sacks over the last four years.
Now, Young showed promise with the Saints on a one-year prove-it deal last season. While he only recorded 5.5 sacks, he logged 34 quarterback pressures. However, New Orleans is a team that lacked cap flexibility before Derek Carr’s retirement—it now has $29 million in cap space with Carr off the books—and still decided to give top-20 edge money to a player who has shown far more potential than production through five seasons.
The Saints are banking on Young’s ability to turn his career around and live up to the “generational” expectations he carried into the NFL. If he delivers, the deal could pay off and silence detractors. Until then, it remains a lightning rod for debate.
Chase Young’s contract reflects the risks teams take to secure top talent, even when past performance raises questions. For now, the Saints’ faith in Young is under the microscope, with significant financial implications tied to his success.
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