Some pass-rush matchups are about names. This one is about leverage. When the New Orleans Saints meet the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Chase Young will go into the game with the kind of production that forces offenses to pay attention, and that attention can open the rest of the front for everyone else.
That is the bigger story behind Young’s 2025 season. He played in only 12 games, but still posted a career high in sacks and matched his career second-best total with 15 quarterback hits. In other words, the disruption came in a relatively limited sample, which is exactly why his impact matters beyond the box score. Even when he does not finish the play, he can still shape it.
The matchup on the edge
On Sunday, that pressure profile runs straight into Penei Sewell. The former left tackle is making the left-side move again, and he is still working through the adjustment. Last year, Sewell ranked outside the top 40 in pass-block win rate, and he has said he wants the change done as soon as possible. He also acknowledged the reality of it: he wants it finished immediately, but it will not happen that fast.
That matters because the Saints are not just looking for a single splash play from Young. They are looking for him to bend protection, force help and create cleaner chances for the rest of the defensive line. When an offense gives one rusher extra attention, the entire front can benefit. When it does not, a player with Young’s burst can make the night uncomfortable in a hurry.
There is also a broader football question here: how comfortable is Sewell on the left side right now, and how much can Detroit ask him to handle while he is still settling in? An NFL coordinator recently put it bluntly, saying he “doesn’t win a lot in pass protection against real guys, just like everyone else.” That is the kind of line that turns a routine Week 1-style assignment into a real test.
For Young, this is a marquee opening to the season. For the Saints, it is a chance to see whether last year’s pass-rushing production can carry into 2026 in a way that changes games, not just moments. For Sewell, it is the first big checkpoint in a role change he clearly wants to finish, but has not fully finished yet. Sunday should tell us plenty about all three.
