The NFL trade deadline isn’t what it used to be. For many years, the trade deadline came and went with no action, merely another slow day on the NFL calendar. It was surely not as exciting as the MLB or NBA trade deadlines.
That’s changed in recent years, with many teams swinging big deals in the season, with Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman being the most aggressive and most successful. Just this week, Roseman swung a trade with the Tennessee Titans to land former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, only parting with day-three draft picks and a lesser veteran safety.
One team with some decisions to make ahead of next week’s trade deadline is the Washington Commanders. Washington has a coach/GM (Ron Rivera) who is very much on the hot seat. Remember, Washington is under new ownership as of July 20. Josh Harris didn’t hire Rivera or his handpicked front office.
The Commanders are 3-4 and face the defending NFC champion Eagles next week. If Washington loses, could it become a seller at the trade deadline? Some believe the Commanders will at least listen to trade offers, particularly for defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Young and Sweat are free agents at the end of the season but play a position that’s always in high demand.
One high-ranking executive from another NFL team told The Athletic they believe Young and Sweat are available — for the right price.
What is the right price? Well, that depends on a team’s desperation. Do you want to trade a premium pick for a player who could leave in the offseason? That lowers any possible return for the Commanders.
NFL insider Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported the following on Tuesday:
Meanwhile, 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.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 24, 2023
A long-term deal for Sweat makes sense. There is still skepticism about Young, who must show he can stay healthy for an entire season and play at a high level. He’s off to a terrific start this season, and both are on pace for a career-high in sacks. But Young’s upside is tantalizing.
Sam Fortier of The Washington Post heard from an NFC executive who didn’t believe the return for Young or Sweat would be anything more than a fourth or fifth-round pick. However, he also heard that he could see an aggressive team offering a second for Sweat.
I don't think the market for Chase Young or Montez Sweat will be as robust as some fans want it to be. There might not be a Bradley Chubb-type offer.
Two senior NFC personnel executives see it this way: https://t.co/p06kCGl35f pic.twitter.com/Zk3OuI2hIk
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) October 24, 2023
If another team offered Washington a second-round pick for Sweat, you take it immediately. Sure, you’d love to keep Sweat, but you always knew you weren’t keeping all four former first-rounds around on a long-term contract, and Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne have already re-signed.
Sweat is currently the better overall player between the two, but he’s also three years older. That matters if you’re debating on one or the other.
Again, we go back to Young’s upside and potential.
Will the Commanders sell at the trade deadline? And, if they do, who is making those decisions?
Young and Sweat aren’t the only Washington players who could be made available, but they are certainly the most notable.
