The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the NFC South division for each of the last four seasons, thanks to a collection of clutch offense and improved defense.
It certainly helps being in a division where the Carolina Panthers owned one of the worst rosters in the last few years and the New Orleans Saints remain in salary cap hell for key decisions.
In the case of New Orleans, their cap concerns have grown into another offseason due to the choice of re-signing some of their solid starters. One of those players is former second overall pick Chase Young.
The former Washington Commander turned Saint signed a whopping three-year contract worth $51 million with New Orleans. His near $17 million per year average is shocking for a player who only recorded 5.5 sacks last season.
Bleacher Report writer Gary Davenport has made it clear how foolish the contract truly is for the Saints.
"There was a time when signing edge-rusher Chase Young for $17 million a season would have been considered a bargain. He was the second overall pick in the 2020 draft and took home Defensive Rookie of the Year honors that season," Davenport wrote. "However, after logging 7.5 sacks during that rookie season, the Ohio State product tore his ACL in 2021 and hasn't been the same since.
"He has 14.5 sacks for three teams over the past four seasons, including 5.5 last year in his first season in New Orleans.
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"For whatever reason, the Saints thought that was worth a three-year, $51 million extension that includes $33 million in guarantees."
The Saints have been a disaster in recent years. A disaster so bad that the Buccaneers have been able to use that to their advantage.
With New Orleans continuing to make poor salary cap decisions, Tampa Bay's hold on the NFC South could continue for at least another season.
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This story was originally published March 29, 2025 at 4:03 PM.