New Orleans Saints stuck in the mud after giving massive NFL contract to potential bust

The New Orleans Saints have been in a financial jam for years. Despite that, they decided to sign a former first-round pick to a massive 3-year, $51 million contract this offseason.

According to Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report, inking Chase Young to that extension is one of the worst contracts in NFL. Not only because the former Buckeye has not delivered to his “generational” tag coming out of college, but also because he an injury history.

Young came into the league as one of the best pass rushers in Ohio State’s history. However, after a promising rookie year with the now-Washington Commanders, Young’s career has been going downhill.

Chase Young has the ‘bust’ tag looming

The term ‘bust’ is used for high draft picks that fail to deliver on expectations. Young started his career by going to the Pro Bowl and recording 7.5 sacks. After that, he’s gone from a knee injury, to being shipped to San Francisco, to then getting picked up by the Saints.

Chase Young #99 of the New Orleans Saints participates in warmups prior to a game against the Denver Broncos at Caesars Superdome on October 17, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana

After his rookie season, he has never even repeated the 7.5 sacks mark. Actually, in the last four years, Young’s managed only 14.5 sacks in the NFL. A once touted as a franchise-changing talent has now become one of the lot.

see also

NFL News: Saints’ potential QB speaks out on adding another veteran post-Derek Carr’s retirement

However, that didn’t make the Saints stutter. New Orleans still gave the edge rusher a massive contract that contains $33 million guaranteed of the total $51 million agreed. Giving this contract after a 5.5-sack season last year with a team that is not precisely ‘rich’ within cap space availability is not something fans like.

Can he go from ‘bust’ to ‘star’?

Every coin has two sides. In this case, the Saints are betting on the side that hasn’t shown yet. Chase Young is only 26 years old, which means that by signing him for the next three years, New Orleans might have signed prime Chase Young at a discount.

Of course, for that to be true, Young needs to show up and show out on the field. He needs to regain confidence and start getting to the opposing QB to beat the ‘bust’ allegations and start gaining force as a star edge rusher in the league.