NEW ORLEANS — It wasn’t the night that New Orleans Saints defensive end Chase Young envisioned against his hometown team, the Washington Commanders franchise that selected him with the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
The Maryland native finished with two tackles, including two sacks, but he left with a heartbreaking 20-19 loss on Sunday as his Saints dropped to 5-9 on the season. On the other sideline, his former team recorded its ninth win of the campaign to secure its first winning season since 2016.
The emotional game was a productive one for Young, who recorded his first multi-sack game as a Saint after creating a career-best 10 pressures last week against the New York Giants.
The New Orleans crowd gave Young a particularly warm welcome as he took the field on Sunday afternoon — they understood what the game could mean for him.
He isn’t a team captain, but the Saints sent Young to midfield for the pregame coin toss. It was a special occasion for the defensive end, who pumped up the crowd in the moments before the opening kickoff.
He maintained that energy throughout the game. It wasn’t enough to earn a victory, though.
If Young harbored any ill will toward his old teammates, he didn’t show it on the field. It was business as usual as the former Defensive Rookie of the Year reached five and a half sacks on the season.
“Chase is a good guy,” said Commanders guard Sam Cosmi, who played with Young for two and a half seasons. “He works hard. There’s nothing but love there. He was chill the whole time.”
While Young dealt with the difficult emotions that accompany losing to your former team, Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore basked in the opposite feelings.
The former Saint recorded a victory in his Washington debut, which brought him face-to-face with his old team.
“It feels good,” said Lattimore, who received a game ball after his return to the Superdome. “It’s the best feeling. On to the next now. We won; now it’s on to the next.”
While Young rode the energy of the New Orleans crowd, Lattimore said he intentionally tried to stay on an even keel.
“You get too hyped, your legs will give out on you, all that adrenaline pumping,” he said. “I just tried to stay calm.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.