It was believed at the beginning of the season that the Washington Commanders were content with letting edge-rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young compete for a lucrative contract extension in 2024.
But after a recent report from CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, the decision regarding which one the team parts with may be made for them as several teams are reportedly showing interest in both players ahead of the Oct. 31 trade deadline.
“It is my understanding, that there are several identifiable teams that have both interest in trading for either Commanders DEs Montez Sweat or Chase Young and are willing to offer either a long-term deal ahead of free agency,” Anderson tweeted.
Both players are in the final year of their contracts and both are putting up strong pass-rushing numbers.
While Sweat (5.5) and Young (five) rank first and second, respectively, on the Commanders in sacks, Young leads the team in pressures (35), hurries (24) and pass-rush win rate (20.4 percent), per Pro Football Focus.
“From everything I’ve been told, it’s probably going to take about a [second- or a third-round pick] to get one of them,” Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz said. “But I do think at the right price, yes, the Commanders would consider moving one of those talented young pass-rushers.”
Should Washington part with either, Sweat likely has the higher trade value. The 27-year-old has had seven or more sacks in three of the last four seasons and he doesn’t carry the injury concerns that Young does.
One team has made a trade offer to the Commanders for DE Montez Sweat but none so far have offered for DE Chase Young, per source. Unclear of the terms of the offer for Sweat.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 25, 2023
Though three years younger than Sweat, Young has played just 12-of-34 games over the last two seasons after a promising rookie year in which he logged 42 pressures, 30 hurries and 7.5 sacks.
The Commanders could prefer to deal Young and hold onto Sweat, who appears to be the safer long-term option. The Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are all playoff contenders who might be looking to upgrade their pass-rush for the stretch run and willing to make a deal.
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