The Washington Commanders have a big decision to make after the 2023 NFL season: Decide between defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young.
That wasn’t always the plan. Sweat was a first-round pick in 2019, and Young the following year. Washington picked up Sweat’s fifth-year option for 2023 but declined Young’s fifth-year option for 2024.
That meant both former first-round edge rushers would be essentially competing against one another for a new contract with Washington.
Sweat has been productive throughout his four-year career, with 29 sacks. He has yet to produce a double-digit sack season, which is the next step in his progression. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio believes his numbers will explode once Sweat finishes more plays.
That’s why the Commanders want to keep Sweat around. Even if Sweat doesn’t produce substantial sack numbers, Washington loves what it has in Sweat. He’s a good pass rusher and outstanding against the run.
John Keim of ESPN had the latest on the Commanders’ interest in keeping Sweat long-term:
Washington would like to extend Sweat, but those talks were long ago put on hold because of the ownership situation. Until Josh Harris’ group are approved as the new owners, Washington and Sweat will have to wait.
Head coach Ron Rivera said recently any big business is on hold until the team has transitioned from current owner Daniel Snyder to new owner Josh Harris. A vote could come as soon as next month, potentially allowing the Commanders to extend Sweat, safety Kamren Curl, or others.
But until then, it’s unlikely the Commanders would open serious negotiations for players about contract extensions until the sale is complete. The good news is Rivera noted how the team has made contact with the agents representing the players so both sides would have expectations regarding potential numbers.
Washington has plenty of cap space for 2024, but its top five defensive ends are not under contract. That’s something the Commanders hope to change.
As for Young, it’s not that Washington doesn’t want to keep him; it’s about him producing and showing he’s fully healthy in 2023.
