Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera confirmed recently that any long-term contract extensions were on hold until the team was sold. That meant players such as safety Kamren Curl and defensive end Montez Sweat couldn’t really begin contract negotiations with the team.
As the Commanders finished training camp Thursday, Rivera was asked about the sale done by training camp.
“I think it’ll help a lot,” he answered. “I mean, there’s still some things that we’ve gotta be able to move on from and have decided on.”
We aren’t quite sure what Rivera was referring to, but his answer to the following question did clear up some things.
“Well, what we’ve tried to do more so than anything else is just kind of let everybody know exactly what you said,” Rivera answered when asked if the Commanders could talk to agents about contracts.
“We’re kind of on hold and just being able to let those people know that hey, yes, just a matter of time. We’ve gotta go through this. We’ve gotta be able to present the plan to the ownership, and they gotta be in agreement with it too. I mean, we can’t go on until we get a chance to explain to them exactly what our thoughts and ideas are and whether they agree or disagree.”
Rivera all but confirmed the team has likely had an open dialogue with representatives for some of their players. Curl, a seventh-round pick in 2020, is probably the No. 1 target to get done soon. Curl has far outplayed his rookie contract, and rewarding him would be an excellent decision. Curl proved his value last season when he missed five games.
Another intriguing decision could be between defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat. The Commanders aren’t going to open up contract talks with Young. They want to see him produce on the field in 2023. If he plays up to his vast potential, Washington will need to open up its checkbook for Young.
Sweat, however, is a player the Commanders would love to extend. While he has yet to put up huge sack numbers — he has 29 through four seasons —he’s always around the quarterback and excellent against the run. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio believes Sweat is on the verge of big-time sack numbers.
Could Washington open up contract talks with Sweat? If so, that would mean the end of Young, as the team cannot afford both in 2024.
Getting the team sold — and approving the deal — before training camp should be the NFL’s No. 1 goal this summer.
