The Washington Commanders entered the season with playoff aspirations led by new ownership and young quarterback Sam Howell. Now days out from the NFL trade deadline, it appears a Montez Sweat or Chase Young trade is coming down to the wire.
Washington finds itself in a bad situation entering NFL games today. The Commanders’ defense boasts one of the best front fours in the NFL, but it has already invested significant draft capital and cap space into the position.
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With glaring holes in the secondary and on the offensive side of the ball, the Commanders won’t have the resources this offseason to keep both Sweat and Young. One of the pass rushers will likely receive the franchise tag, but that leaves the other to hit NFL free agency.
In a best-case scenario, Washington could receive a third-round compensatory pick in the 2025 NFL Draft if Sweat or Young signs a lucrative contract. However, that scenario also requires the Commanders to not spend heavily this offseason and it’s possible neither player receives the contract that warrants a third-round compensatory selection
It’s why Sweat and Young have floated in NFL trade rumors. Now, just days out from the Oct. 31 deadline, it seems a trade could come down to Sunday’s outcome.
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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Commanders’ decision on whether or not to proceed with trading several of its top players will be influenced by Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
A win would be monumental for Washington. Not only would it improve to 4-4, but it would demonstrate the Commanders could compete with the best NFL teams. Furthermore, with the NFC’s playoff race wide open, Ron Rivera and Co. would have something to compete for.
On the other hand, the Commanders are a seven-point underdog at home. Philadelphia is expected to roll over them on Sunday and a loss would drop Washington to 3-5. At that point, with less than 48 hours remaining until the trade deadline, a deal becomes far more likely.
In that scenario, per Schefter, it would leave the Commanders potentially looking to unload players as early as Monday morning. NFL teams have already expressed interest in both Sweat and Young, with both players two of the most coveted NFL trade candidates right now.
If the Commanders commit to selling, it also won’t bode well for Rivera’s future. There has already been speculation around the league regarding Rivera’s job security. As is the case for anyone on the NFL coaching hot seat, their team selling at the trade deadline makes it much more likely the head coach gets fired at the end of the season.