8 Commanders players that might be traded before the 2023 deadline

Commanders might trade Montez Sweat

This is where it gets interesting.

The Washington Commanders are bracing themselves for a significant dilemma surrounding their two premier pass-rushers. Both Montez Sweat and Chase Young are out of contract next spring and considering what it might cost to keep them around, it seems unlikely if not impossible.

Sweat has 5.5 sacks through seven games and remains an integral part of Washington's defensive strategy. His evolution into a locker-room leader only heightens the former first-round pick's influence on and off the field.

The Commanders should have got a long-term deal done with Sweat months ago. Instead, head coach Ron Rivera likes to wait until the last second, which inevitably costs the franchise more if a certain individual reaches or exceeds the level expected.

Ben Standig of The Athletic recently claimed that there had been no contract talks between the Commanders and Sweat, citing numerous unnamed sources with close knowledge of the situation. If the team loses against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8, a situation could emerge where they deem the Mississippi State product as a necessary sacrifice.

This trade would represent the Commanders throwing in the towel on their 2023 chances. But it's also worth remembering that this is a business above all else and if Sweat is made available, the market should be robust enough to extract maximum value.