Chase Young has been a force after making a quick return from offseason neck surgery, and the Saints are raving about his work on and off the field @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/JOeppLb8lj
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) August 1, 2024
There might not be a more exciting player at New Orleans Saints training camp than Chase Young. The former second overall draft pick has been ramping up in team drills after recovering from offseason neck surgery well ahead of schedule, and everyone around him is excited to see what he can do in 2024 — including his head coach Dennis Allen.
Allen spoke about Young’s strong start to training camp with Jonathan Jones for CBS Sports. But what’s interesting is that he’s putting less pressure on the player and more on Young’s head coach, defensive coordinator, and position coach.
“He’s got all the ability to play at an elite level in our league. And so now our job is to see how can we get him to perform that way more consistently. And that’s charged on me, that’s charged on Joe Woods, that’s charged on Todd Grantham. How do we get this guy to play at the level he’s capable of at a more consistent level?” Allen said.
But while he acknowledged the coaches must shoulder some of the responsibility, Allen spoke highly of what he’s seen of Young’s ability to self-motivate and buy into what they’re asking of him. He’s seen a player with a great combination of talent and enthusiasm, with a huge opportunity in front of him.
“Look, the great thing about,” Allen said, pausing to consider his words. “Everything he’s that done to this point, coming in here, he’s exceeded expectations in terms of his work ethic. In terms of coming in and doing everything we’ve asked him to do, he’s bought into everything. And when you see him out here you notice him when he’s on the field. He’s a disruptive force.”
Young came to the Saints this spring with questions about his effort level trailing him from San Francisco; the 49ers were disappointed in what he gave them after being acquired in a midseason trade with the Washington Commanders. But you have to wonder if the hesitance Young showed on the field last season, which isn’t happening now, was a result of the neck injury he sustained and played through last summer. Now he’s healthy and playing with only the restraints his coaches put on him.
“And so we’re excited about having him,” Allen continued. “I think he’s got an opportunity to have a great season and I think he’s going to be a big addition for us.”
