Commanders contact NFL rivals over interest in key defensive departure

21 October 2023 , 21:42

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The Washington Commanders could soon be cashing in on Chase Young while they still can

The Washington Commanders are considering trading one of Chase Young and Montez Sweat over the next fortnight before the NFL trade deadline.

Both defensive linemen are on expiring contracts and entering unrestricted free agency after the season. Therefore, the Commanders risk losing them for nothing should they not be moved before October 31.

Washington is currently on the bubble of the playoff picture through the first six games after a 3-3 start. However, those three losses have come during their last four, with their 24-16 win at the Atlanta Falcons halting a three-game skid.

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The Athletic reports that the team has already been making calls around the league to gauge the interest from the market in their players. The suggestions are that one of Sweat and Young will go if a suitable offer presents itself before the end of this month.

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There is, though, said to be nothing imminent. Instead, the Commanders are content to stay patient and act based on their final two games before the deadline.

Washington is on the road at AFC East rivals the New York Giants this week before hosting the Philadelphia Eagles to end October. With their divisional rivals off to a 1-5 start, and quarterback Daniel Jones questionable to play due to a neck injury, a defeat tomorrow could hasten the process.

It looks like one of Sweat and Young will be on the move this month

As for their final game before the deadline, losing to the Eagles no longer seems such a forgone conclusion as it perhaps once was. Philadelphia fell to their first loss at the New York Jets last weekend and was taken to overtime by the Commanders at the start of this month.

Of the two names that could be on the trade block, Young is an interesting one. The former second-overall pick would likely bring back some draft capital in any trade.

The Baltimore Ravens are said to be a potential landing spot for the edge rusher. After bouncing back well this season from a torn right ACL, he could enhance their chances of a playoff run in the AFC by moving within Maryland.

The former rookie Pro Bowler has 12 combined tackles, seven quarterback hits, three tackles for a loss and three sacks. However, the Commanders moving Young is not their only option.

If they decide to extend Sweat early, they could franchise tag Young if a deal gets done before next year's deadline. The contractual dilemma stems from declining the player's fifth-year option during the offseason.

But after already giving long-term contracts to other interior defenders, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, extending Sweat and Young seems like an excessive expenditure. Unlike Young, the team did exercise Sweat's fifth-year option to keep him on the roster for this season, but whether that will have any bearing on who out of the two is more or less likely to stay in the capital remains to be seen.

Matthew Abbott