NFL Rumors: Chase Young's Injury Limited Potential FA Suitors Before Saints Contract

It appears Chase Young's list of suitors in free agency was not very long.

According to Albert Breer of MMQB, scans on Young's neck injury "made it tough to find a suitor" in free agency before he landed a one-year, $13 million deal with the New Orleans Saints.

"No one would clear him on his physical," Breer added. "The condition was initially found after he had a stinger last year vs. the Browns in preseason."

Breer also noted that Young's neck condition impacted his trade market during the 2023 season before he was traded from the Washington Commanders to the San Francisco 49ers.

On Wednesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Young would have surgery on the injury and would be ready for the start of the regular season.

While Young's contract with the Saints is worth $13 million, the franchise structured the deal in a way that will save it money if he doesn't play in all 17 games next season.

Young receives $5.01 million guaranteed and will receive a roster bonus of $470,000 per each game he suits up for, according to Matthew Paras of NOLA.com. The $7.99 million is reportedly fully guaranteed if he's released, per Paras.

The 24-year-old has been limited by injuries throughout his NFL career, but the neck ailment was noticed after he suffered a stinger during a preseason game with the Commanders ahead of the 2023 campaign.

The stinger resulted in Young missing Washington's Week 1 matchup with a neck injury, though he returned for Week 2 and still appeared in 16 games.

Young was traded from the Commanders to 49ers after Washington's Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He became a free agent after the season after having his fifth-year option declined by the Commanders.

Young finished the season having posted 7.5 sacks, two passes defended, 25 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 15 quarterback hits. He was more effective in San Francisco, recording five sacks, one pass defended, 15 tackles, six tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits in seven games.

Prior to the 2023 season, Young was limited to just 12 games between 2021 and 2022 with the Commanders due to a torn ACL.

If the 2020 No. 2 overall pick can stay healthy in 2024, he figures to be a key piece of the New Orleans defense alongside Cam Jordan, Payton Turner and Carl Granderson.