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.

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.

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.

Washington had a terrible beginning of the season with Carson Wentz as the quarterback. Although an injury to their starting signal-caller was actually a blessing given that allowed Taylor Heinicke to step in that position. Everything changed from then on.

They are now in the last wild card seat just half a game over the Seattle Seahawks. Their tie and loss vs the New York Giants stopped the Commanders a bit, but they were in a 6-1 run before. Since they have a tough schedule ahead to close out the year, they need every talented player to be ready.

Will Chase Young play against the 49ers?

Young was voted the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020, although he was never able to get back to that level. The 2nd overall pick had a bad season in 2021 that was also cut short because of an injury. It was a torn ACL and a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee what he suffered on week 9, which took him out for quite some time.

This year there were a lot of times where he was expected to be back. Unfortunately, different setbacks during the week ended up delaying his comeback. But after 13 months of recovery Young will be active for the game against the San Francisco 49ers.

His status seems clearer now before a clash that could be very important for them. The confirmation came from Ron Rivera on a press conference. “He practiced with confidence. He showed us his willingness to stick that leg in the ground and roll off of it, plant it and cut off it. He had a good week so we’re pretty excited about that“, the head coach said.

Not even facing Tom Brady is scary for him, who recently called out the player, expressing his desire to face arguably the greatest quarterback of all time. Washington Football Team have nothing to lose and a lot to win but Young could be asking for more than he can handle.

After Washington beat Philadelphia Eagles earlier this week, Chase went after Brady, asking for him. With all the reactions he received after that moment, one would think Young would be humble now, but he’s not backing down on his desire to face Brady and Buccaneers.

Chase Young says he’s not apologizing for calling out Tom Brady

Plenty of people had something to say about Young and his desire to go against Brady. He’s very young and just starting his NFL career. Perhaps his desire will backfire on him, but he’s not worried about that right now.

“I’m excited for every game,” Young told reporters Wednesday, via Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker. “Tom Brady? You think I won’t be excited to play against the GOAT? You trippin’. I’m not going to apologize for saying I want Tom.”

This man isn’t afraid of anything and he’s ready to see one of the greatest players to ever do it. Brady is a menace and he hasn’t told anything to Young. TB12 is somebody that speaks on the gridiron and that should worry Young.

Recently, Bruce Arians responded to the young player, telling him that he should be careful what she wishes for since Brady has done this a lot while Young is only in his rookie season. He has a lot of talent but calling out big players like that isn’t a good move for him.

“Both those kids from Ohio State, he and [Terry] McLaurin, are great kids. He’s a handful, but so is Sweat, [Daron] Payne, the rest of those guys. Ryan Kerrigan, I’ve had a ton of respect for a long time,” Arians said. “We’ll have our hands full, but it’s one of those games where you better watch what you wish for.”

Everything is set for a big match this Saturday. The youth vs the experience, two teams trying to prove something this season and a player challenging one of the greatest to ever do it. It’s about to go down and fans can’t wait to see it.