Commanders exercising Montez Sweat’s fifth year puts DE in line for extension

NFL Draft week is always subject to surprises and the Washington Commanders followed that narrative to a tee when it was reported they’re not expected to offer star defensive lineman Daron Payne a contract extension.

Could this upend the Commanders’ draft plans? Could they trade Payne and turn around and draft Georgia behemoth Jordan Davis in the first round? That’d be one way to absolutely exasperate the fan base.

It’s also been reported that Washington’s done extensive research on Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral throughout the pre-draft process, with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noting the team could look for QB help on Day 2 of the draft.

How about we take a break from the surprises?

On Wednesday, the Commanders made the no-brainer decision to exercise Montez Sweat’s fifth-year option.

The Commanders have exercised Montez Sweat’s fifth-year option.

The option is fully guaranteed for $10.89 million, per the team, a notable raise from his projected $2.082 million base salary for 2022.

This is huge news for both parties. Not only does Sweat get a deserved raise after averaging seven sacks over his first three seasons, but it means Washington has three of its four starting defensive linemen under contract until 2024.

Not many teams in the NFL can say that, and the group should be expected to make another jump next season. After all, Sweat was limited to just 10 games in 2021 due to a broken jaw and the loss of his brother late in the year.

Drafted No. 26 overall by Washington in 2019, Sweat hasn’t had a true breakout campaign, but he’s been consistent as a pass rusher. Last year marked the only time he missed games, and he’s amassed 23 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, seven forced fumbles, 46 QB hits and 106 pressures over 42 contests for the club.

Still just 25 years old (he’ll turn 26 in September), there’s reason to believe Sweat hasn’t reached his ceiling as a defender. Assuming he parlays his consistency into more splash plays, he should be in line for an extension this time next year.

The former first-rounder has all the physical traits necessary to attain double-digit sacks. While wanting to hit the teammate sack record with Chase Young was a premature goal, the potential Sweat has to become a DE who records 10-12 sacks every year made picking up his fifth-year option as easy as it gets.

For all of the pre-draft curveballs Commanders fans have been thrown before Thursday night, this news had to hit the sweet spot.

Once the subject of (fan-driven) trade rumors after Washington stated its desire to extend Payne this offseason, it’s Sweat who looks the more likely of the two defensive linemen to have a long-term future with the franchise.