An AFC executive believes that the Washington Commanders “would at least listen to offers” on two of their star players as the trade deadline draws closer.
The Commanders enter Week 7 with a 3-3 record. They’re very much alive in the playoff race, but they also have two of the leagues’ top trade deadline chips in star pass-rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Washington currently sees both players “in its future.” That said, one AFC executive think they’d listen to offers for both stars and pending free agents:
“Young and Sweat, whose contracts expire in March, are popular names this year. Here’s what I’ve been told: Washington, as of now, very much sees both in its future. The Commanders’ team strength is the defensive line. Daron Payne produced in his contract year to earn a four-year, $90-million deal in March, and Sweat (4.5 sacks) and Young (3.0 sacks) are the next in line. As one source told me, betting odds on one or both being dealt should not be great. So, my sense is they don’t plan to trade them.
But one AFC exec believes Washington would at least listen to offers and potentially consider them, which the source didn’t completely shoot down…
The sense after talking to several people is, if one were to be dealt — again, huge if — it’s likely Young, in part because he’s more inclined to play out the year and entertain free agency. Plus, he needs to play a healthy season. Sweat is considered a stronger franchise-tag or extension candidate at this stage.”
The Commanders stunned everybody when they declined the fifth-year option on Young’s rookie contract. The No. 2 pick of 2020 is off to a strong start with three sacks, one pass defensed and 11 combined tackles through his first five games.
The 27-year-old Sweat has also been dominant to start the season, recording 4.5 sacks, one pass defensed and two forced fumbles. He has recorded at least five sacks every year since his 2019 rookie year, including a career-high nine in the 2020 season.
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If Washington remains in postseason contention, it’s likely that they’ll want to keep one or both of Sweat and Young. If they fall out of the playoff picture ahead of the Oct. 31 trade deadline, however, then it only makes sense to deal both stars for future assets.
Washington will try to improve to 4-3 on the year when they visit the New York Giants this Sunday.
