As the New Orleans Saints' 2024 season came to an end, Chase Young learned something about Demario Davis. The 36-year-old had no intention to slow down.
The veteran linebacker had plans to keep working out full-tilt three time a week through the Super Bowl, and it inspired Young to do the same.
"So I’m like, OK, I’m gonna take that and I’m gonna apply it to what I’m doing," Young told WWL Radio this week. "So I mean, I haven’t really stopped working out, for real, since the season. Not going 7 days a week, but going 4 days a week, just being consistent and, you know, I’ve got something to prove to myself. I’ve got something to prove to my family. I feel like God has blessed me with this opportunity. I know I’m still young and I know I still have a lot more to show.”
Listen to the full, exclusive interview with Chase Young in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
It's a commitment that likely made it easier for the Saints to invest significantly in the 25-year-old defensive end, inking him to a 3-year, $51 million extension ahead of free agency. It's a long way from the 1-year, $13 million contract Young inked heading into the 2024 season, a prove-it deal of sorts as he worked back from a neck injury that required surgery.
"A lot of people don’t really understand, after I got my surgery I had to sit down for 3.5 months, do nothing, like, bump on a log, like I had a month to prepare for training camp," Young said during a Monday call with reporters. "So I mean, to go out there and to do what I did, I mean, that’s why I ain’t waste no time this offseason, so you know, still – my fire’s still lit. You know, so it’s on.”
Young played in all 17 games for the first time in his career, and while his 5.5 sacks didn't blow up the league, his pressure stats showed a player that was impacting games significantly. The numbers will come, something the team clearly believes. Young agrees, but knows there's still a lot to work on. That's why he's still working out during what could otherwise be downtime, and why he's investing in himself. That's included the purchase of a $30,000 PEMF machine for his home that he can use as he pleases, a tool credited with several health benefits.
Related
Young points to his time with older veterans like Davis and Cam Jordan, whom he referred to as being like a big brother, to help grow into a better pro. But he's also got his own experiences to lean on.
"I feel like i’ve always been invested in my body," Young said. "I would say, also, I wouldn’t have made a purchase like that my rookie year, but yea, I mean ... going on Year 6 now, so you know, you’ve just got to – depending on how long God say he wants you to play, you’ve got to invest in your body.”
Young made it clear that New Orleans is where he always wanted to make that investment, and agreeing to stay here was an easy decision. He's a fan of the culture, the team and so is his family, a factor that was important to the process.
"I feel like we have just real great chemistry in that locker room," Young said. "You know, just from the front office down everybody treated you so well, so genuine. You know, my family loves it there, you know, they love to go down to the French Quarter and they just love New Orleans and I feel like it was just the best fit for me.”
The next step will be proving it on the field and in a very different scheme under new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Young has spoken to Staley, his new offensive line coach Bo Davis and edges coach Jay Rogers and is excited for how he'll be deployed.
“Just know I’m gonna give you everything I got." Young told WWL. "I’m working right now and, you know, I’m gonna put my best foot forward and, you know, keep trying to bring a boom next year, so you already know. Who Dat.”