A few years ago, Chase Young looked poised to become the NFL’s next star pass-rusher.

The No. 2 overall pick in 2020 quickly emerged as a force for the Washington Commanders, racking up 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles on his way to earning Defensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl honors. However, that has been the high-water mark of Young’s career, and he’s running out of chances to show he can still be that type of impact player.

Young’s trajectory was significantly altered when he suffered a devastating knee injury midway through his sophomore season. He went on to miss 22 games, looking like a shade of his former self upon his return near the tail end of the 2022 campaign.

While Young did start to flash his elite potential again early in 2023—racking up five sacks in the first six games—a midseason trade to the San Francisco 49ers did more harm than good. Despite getting to play alongside some of the league’s most formidable defenders, including former Ohio State teammate and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa, Young tallied only 2.5 sacks in nine regular-season contests.

A strong market never materialized for Young when he hit free agency this offseason. He settled for a one-year, prove-it deal with the New Orleans Saints worth $13 million, placing him outside the top 25 for average pay at the position.

Young could still go on to have a long, fruitful career. He’s just entering his age-25 season and doesn’t have much tread on his tires after playing only 2,097 defensive snaps across his first 43 NFL games.

If Young can stay healthy and shine while working with another top-tier edge rusher in Cameron Jordan, he should sign a big-money, multi-year deal when he returns to the open market next offseason.