The New Orleans Saints have reached a one-year contract agreement with defensive end Chase Young, the former No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft

The New Orleans Saints have agreed to a one-year contract with free agency defensive end Chase Young, aimed at improving their pass rush, which struggled to pressure quarterbacks last season.

“I plan to add a good piece,” Young said during a video conference with New Orleans media Monday night. “I’m going to let my play do the talking.”

Last season, Saints defensive ends totaled 14 sacks, with Carl Granderson leading the way with 8 1/2, ranking the team 29th in the NFL in sacks per pass attempt.

Young, who turns 25 in April, was selected second overall by the Washington Commanders in 2020 out of Ohio State, where he was voted AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. However, serious knee ailments sidelined him for the most of his second professional season, affecting his performance in 2022.

“Injuries hampered some things,” Young said. “It is all about the process and the trip. “I know what I can do.”

Last season, Young appeared in 16 games for both the Commanders and the San Francisco 49ers, who acquired him in a midseason trade. He has seven and a half sacks during the regular season and another in the Niners’ Super Bowl loss to Kansas City.

“I believe I have room for improvement in all aspects of my game. “I’m still a young player,” Young stated. “I’m going to do my best to make sure [the Saints] know they didn’t pick the wrong one.””I believe I have room for improvement in all aspects of my game. “I’m still a young player,” Young stated. “I’m going to do my best to make sure [the Saints] know they didn’t pick the wrong one.”
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 264 pounds, Young, whose new contract is allegedly worth up to $13 million, now joins a position group that includes Saints all-time sack leader Cameron Jordan.

Becoming Jordan’s teammate is “definitely something big for me that I’m excited to do,” Young explained. He regarded Jordan as “a guy I can spend time with, who I can absorb the game from.”

Several clubs expressed interest in Young, but he was drawn to New Orleans because of the “family atmosphere” he felt during a visit to the team’s offices, as well as the “winning culture.”

In New Orleans, Young will rejoin with former Ohio State teammates linebacker Pete Werner and receiver Chris Olave. Marshon Lattimore, the Saints’ experienced cornerback, went to Ohio State as well. “This place, I had a feeling; My mom always said trust my gut,” she added. “I felt like this was the best choice for me.”