NFL Rumors: Chase Young Sets Saints, Panthers, Titans Visits amid 2024 Free Agency

Free-agent edge-rusher Chase Young is planning to visit the Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints this week, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.

Young finished out the 2023 season with the San Francisco 49ers following his trade from the Washington Commanders. ESPN's Dan Graziano reported on March 3 that the Niners "have at least some interest" in a reunion, but that ship has probably sailed after they agreed to deals with Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos.

All three teams make sense for Young.

The Saints tied for the fourth-fewest sacks (34) in 2023, with Cameron Jordan posting his lowest total (two) since his rookie year. Edge-rusher is one of New Orleans' biggest points of emphasis and might be at the top of the list.

The Panthers likewise have a glaring need for pass-rushing help after not only losing Gross-Matos to free agency but also reportedly trading Brian Burns to the New York Giants. The cupboard is now pretty bare in Carolina and the team has a lot of cash to burn in finding some reinforcements.

Tennessee, meanwhile, watched sack leader Denico Autry reportedly agree to a deal with the NFC South rival Houston Texans. Two-time Pro Bowler Jeffery Simmons was disappointed to see Autry go:

Signing Young could be a high-risk venture, though, especially if he manages to get a sizable chunk of change on his next contract.

The 24-year-old made an immediate impact in Washington, making the Pro Bowl and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. However, he hasn't been the same player since tearing his right ACL in 2021.

Even more so than trading Young to San Francisco, the Commanders' decision to decline his fifth-year option was a telling indicator as to how he hasn't panned out as expected.

The 2020 first-round pick probably has a long career ahead as a situational pass-rusher, but he may never fulfill the promise that led him to be selected second overall. It will be interesting to see if he's going to get paid like that this offseason or if a team goes beyond that in the belief he can still hit a new level on the field.