WASHINGTON — The Washington Commanders traded Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 second-round draft pick and Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers for a third-rounder ahead of the 4 p.m. NFL trade deadline Tuesday, according to WUSA9's sports team.
The Commanders have already faced the Bears this season, losing 40-20, but will face the 49ers at home on New Year's Eve.
Sending away their top two pass rushers signals a major shift for the Commanders under new ownership. Washington has lost five of their last six games to drop to 3-5 since starting the season with consecutive victories. Backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett and running back Antonio Gibson could also be moved before the deadline.
Following another loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, chatter around the future of edge rushers Sweat and Young got even louder. Before news of the trades were made public, Sweat said he would hate to be split up from Young. The two entered the NFL as first-round picks in consecutive years.
“It definitely would be a detriment to split us up. … It’s in the air, but at the end of the day, we have a game to play, we have a job to do," he said.
Young and Sweat both spoke about the idea of getting dealt being out of their control. Both spoke about having a bond. Neither spoke about really wanting to remain in Washington.
“That’s my brother, man. … We’re rocking for life,” Young said. “That’s not going to change if we’re not on the same team.”
Ron Rivera and the Commanders have dropped to 0-3 in the NFC East at roughly the season’s midpoint.
The D-line, which was supposed to be the backbone of a defense expected to be among the NFL's best, has not been enough of a difference-maker, and young defensive backs have experienced some tough growing pains.
The Commanders have allowed 33 or more points five times this season. That's not a recipe for success with young quarterback Sam Howell learning a new offense.
"I think there's some inconsistencies that we have to get better at," Rivera said of his defense.