2 hypothetical trade packages the Commanders can offer for Roquan Smith

The Commanders have reportedly rebuffed all recent trade inquires for Payne. The motivation behind that? The team wants to win, and keeping Payne, although he’s likely the odd man out on Washington’s defensive front, gives them the best chance to do that.

But what if the front office can trade Payne while acquiring a future building block on defense in Smith? We know what you’re thinking: why would the Bears pay Payne when they’re already reluctant to pay a homegrown talent in Smith?

For starters, Chicago can sign Payne to an extension before he ever reaches free agency and becomes the top DL on the market.

The Commanders and Bears are in similar positions with Payne and Smith, who were separated by six picks in the 2018 draft. Both clubs are likely to lose players for nothing in free agency next offseason and adding Payne would give Robert Quinn, who notched 18.5 sacks last year, a suitable running mate.

For Washington, acquiring Smith would admittedly create a logjam at linebacker, but Davis’ slow-moving development puts them in a tough spot. Perhaps the team can cut its losses on the 2021 first-round pick and shop him at the deadline. Who knows? Maybe Holcomb prices himself out of the Commanders’ price range and he leaves in free agency and Davis stays and continues developing next to Smith.

We’re just spit-balling here, but Washington has myriad options and they’d be doing a disservice to fans if they don’t at least get Chicago on the phone and gauge Smith’s market and their asking price for the All-Pro linebacker.