After a career marked by explosive potential, a significant injury, and a pivotal trade, edge rusher Chase Young stands at a financial and professional crossroads. As he embarks on a new chapter with the New Orleans Saints, his net worth in 2025 is poised for significant change, heavily influenced by a high-stakes "prove-it" contract designed to re-establish his dominance in the NFL. This analysis delves into Chase Young's current financial standing, breaks down his career earnings from his rookie deal to his latest contract, and projects how his performance in the upcoming season will dictate his future as one of the league's potential top earners.
Projecting Chase Young's Net Worth in 2025
Estimating an athlete's net worth involves more than just their salary; it's a composite of career earnings, endorsement income, investments, minus taxes, agent fees, and living expenses. As of early 2024, Chase Young's net worth is estimated to be between $15 million and $20 million. This figure is primarily built upon the earnings from his fully guaranteed rookie contract.
Looking ahead to 2025, **Chase Young's net worth is projected to grow to approximately $25-$30 million**. This projection is anchored by his new, fully guaranteed $13 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. After accounting for federal and state taxes, agent commissions (typically 3%), and other expenses, Young will likely add a substantial multi-million dollar figure to his net assets from this contract alone. This estimate, however, represents a baseline. The true ceiling of his 2025 net worth—and his financial trajectory beyond that—hinges almost entirely on his on-field production and health during the 2024 NFL season.
Key Components of His Financial Profile:
- NFL Contracts: The primary driver of his wealth, including his rookie deal and his current one-year contract.
- Endorsement Deals: Partnerships with major brands that provide a steady stream of off-field income.
- Investments: While private, athletes at his level typically engage in strategic investments in real estate, stocks, and business ventures to grow their wealth.
A Deep Dive into Chase Young's Contracts and Career Earnings
Chase Young's journey through the NFL's financial landscape has been a case study in the league's high-risk, high-reward nature. From the security of a top draft pick's contract to the uncertainty following an injury, his earnings reflect his career arc.
The Rookie Contract with Washington
Selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the then-Washington Football Team, Chase Young entered the league with immense expectations and a contract to match. As per the NFL's slotted rookie wage scale, he signed a landmark deal:
- Total Value: $34.56 million
- Term: 4 years
- Guaranteed Money: $34.56 million (fully guaranteed)
- Signing Bonus: $22.69 million
This contract immediately established his financial foundation. His rookie season was a resounding success, earning him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and a Pro Bowl selection. However, his career hit a major obstacle in Week 10 of the 2021 season when he suffered a torn ACL and patellar tendon in his right knee. The lengthy and arduous recovery sidelined him for the remainder of that season and a significant portion of the 2022 season. This injury ultimately led the Washington Commanders to decline his fifth-year option, a move that would have guaranteed him $17.45 million for the 2024 season and signaled a lack of long-term confidence from the organization.
The Mid-Season Trade to the San Francisco 49ers
With his contract expiring, Washington traded Young to the San Francisco 49ers midway through the 2023 season for a compensatory third-round pick. The 49ers absorbed the remaining portion of his rookie salary, giving Young a chance to rejuvenate his career on a championship-contending team. Paired with fellow Ohio State alumnus Nick Bosa, Young showed flashes of his former disruptive self, contributing to the 49ers' run to Super Bowl LVIII. While he didn't secure a long-term deal in San Francisco, his performance put him back on the map for teams seeking pass-rushing talent.
The "Prove-It" Deal with the New Orleans Saints
In March 2024, Chase Young signed what is arguably the most important contract of his career: a one-year, $13 million fully guaranteed deal with the New Orleans Saints. This type of contract is a classic "bet on yourself" scenario. It provides Young with significant one-year compensation while giving him the platform to prove he is fully recovered and can once again be an elite, game-changing force.
The structure of the deal is heavily weighted towards performance. According to reports from NFL insiders like Ian Rapoport, the contract is laden with sack incentives that could substantially increase his 2024 earnings. This incentivized structure protects the Saints while offering Young a massive upside. If he stays healthy and returns to his 2020 form, he will not only earn his incentives but also position himself for a colossal long-term contract in the 2025 free-agent market.
Beyond the Gridiron: Endorsements and Business Ventures
Like most high-profile NFL stars, a significant portion of Chase Young's income is generated off the field. His marketability, stemming from his draft status and his menacing on-field persona as "The Predator," made him an attractive partner for brands from the moment he declared for the draft.
Key Endorsement Deals
Upon entering the league, Young secured several high-value endorsement deals. While the exact figures are not public, they are estimated to be in the low-to-mid seven-figure range annually.
- Under Armour: One of his most significant partnerships, placing him among the brand's premier NFL athletes.
- Old Spice: He has been featured in national advertising campaigns for the popular men's grooming brand.
- FedEx: As a former member of the team playing at FedExField, this was a natural local partnership.
- Other Ventures: He has also been linked to brands like eBay and Chipotle.
His continued success and visibility with the Saints will be crucial for maintaining and growing this portfolio. A dominant season in New Orleans could open doors to new national and local endorsement opportunities.
Career Trajectory and Future Financial Outlook
Chase Young is at a critical inflection point. His financial future for the next decade will be largely defined by what happens in the next year. Two divergent paths lie before him, both determined by his ability to perform and stay on the field.
The Impact of Performance and Health
Health is the single most important variable in Young's financial equation. His 2021 knee injury is a constant footnote in any discussion about his value. The 2024 season with the Saints is his opportunity to rewrite that narrative. If he plays a full season and demonstrates the power, speed, and technique that made him the second overall pick, he will command a top-tier contract in 2025.
The market for elite edge rushers is one of the most lucrative in the NFL. Teams are willing to pay a premium for players who can consistently pressure the opposing quarterback. As one general manager anonymously stated to ESPN, "You can never have enough guys who can get to the quarterback. They change the entire dynamic of a game, and you pay for that."
Market Value for Elite Edge Rushers
To understand Young's potential earnings, one need only look at the contracts signed by his peers:
- Nick Bosa (San Francisco 49ers): 5 years, $170 million ($34 million AAV)
- T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers): 4 years, $112 million ($28 million AAV)
- Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns): 5 years, $125 million ($25 million AAV)
If Chase Young produces a season with double-digit sacks and demonstrates consistent durability, his agents will rightfully argue that he belongs in this financial stratosphere. A successful 2024 could lead to a multi-year contract in 2025 worth well over $100 million, with guarantees exceeding $50-$60 million. Such a deal would catapult his net worth exponentially, solidifying his status as one of the wealthiest defensive players in the league.
Ultimately, Chase Young's net worth in 2025 will be a direct reflection of his 2024 season. The guaranteed $13 million from the Saints provides a solid boost to his existing wealth, but it serves primarily as a bridge to a potentially much larger fortune. By betting on himself, Young has taken control of his financial destiny. The stage is set in New Orleans for him to prove he is not just a talented player, but a dominant, franchise-altering force worthy of a top-of-the-market contract.
