The Detroit Lions are seeking pass rush assistance this offseason, whether through free agency, trade, or the draft. With Aidan Hutchinson leading the team in sacks last season despite missing several games due to a broken leg, the Lions are exploring all options. ESPN’s Matt Bowen recently released his list of the top 50 free agents for 2025, and the Lions were listed as the ideal fit for former Defensive Rookie of the Year, Chase Young, who ranks 39th on the list.
Bowen suggested that adding Young to pair with Hutchinson would bolster the Lions’ pass rush. Young, who registered 5.5 sacks and 46 pressures with the New Orleans Saints in 2024, would be a low-risk signing with significant upside. Detroit had been linked to Young previously, including during the 2023 trade deadline when Hutchinson was injured.
Young, who was drafted second overall by Washington in 2020, had an injury-riddled career after tearing his ACL in 2021, limiting him to just 12 games over the following two seasons. The San Francisco 49ers acquired him at the 2023 trade deadline but didn’t get the expected performance. In 2024, Young played all 17 games with the Saints, registering 66 quarterback pressures, ranking 12th among edge rushers.
Young, set to turn 26 in April, has a projected market value of $17.5 million annually, with a potential four-year, $70 million contract, though the actual deal might be less. Cap expert Josh Queipo estimates a three-year, $45 million deal. Signing Young to a high-paying contract would limit the upside, carrying the inherent risk of committing significant funds.
