New Orleans Saints pass rusher Chase Young considered 'make or break' candidate for 2024 season

New Orleans Saints fans have been excited about the idea of adding pass rusher Chase Young to their defensive line. On paper, it was a smart move at a nice price for just one season. He's on an incentive-laiden deal, so it should not be a surprise that the move could also not pay off. 

Only time will tell for Young and the Saints. As of now, there is plenty of hope that he can create pressure for the Saints DL along some other formidable talent. 

Chase Young can "make or break" the Saints defense in 2024

Nick Shook of NFL.com believes that Young can be a game changer for the Saints, in one way or another.

If Young needs motivation to produce in 2024, he only has to look back a few months at his free agency, which didn’t include a ton of attention and ended in a one-year, $13 million trial with the Saints. That’s far from what most expected the former No. 2 overall pick to fetch even a year ago, but after his move west to San Francisco failed to produce the results most expected when considering he was paired with Nick Bosa, Young was forced to accept a decent prove-it opportunity. If he wants to make big money, Young needs to act now. At 25 years old, he can once again become a coveted edge rusher by posting double-digit sacks (and experiencing a generally healthy season, given he recovers from offseason neck surgery), which admittedly feels less than likely at this point. Perhaps sharing the field with Cameron Jordan will help.

-- Nick Shook, NFL.com

His explanation makes a ton of sense. The Saints did not rush the passer well in 2023. If that happens again in 2024, tough decisions will need to be made from a player and staff perspective. 

As for Young, he will slot in alongside Cameron Jordan opposite of Carl Granderson most likely. Granderson is the best EDGE of the three at this point in their careers. 

That being said, Young has plenty of potential that is still possibly untapped. He's a former top five overall pick. 

He simply must stay healthy. He's currently rehabbing from neck surgery, but he's expected to be ready for the preseason. Young has been committed to his recovery and has been in the building every day working hard.