Which Washington Commanders players could be traded before the 2023 deadline as speculation surrounding a fire sale gathers pace?
The Washington Commanders could have done without yet another woeful display so close to the trade deadline. Sunday's thumping at the New York Giants raised further questions about where this franchise might be heading, which only piles pressure further on head coach Ron Rivera with Josh Harris' ownership group watching every move closely.
Losing against the Philadelphia Eagles would leave Washington at 3-5 and going nowhere fast, especially considering their daunting run of contests to close the campaign. According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, people around the league believe that the Commanders will be sellers before October 31, although nothing concrete has emerged as yet.
With plenty of established players looking for new deals and others facing uncertain futures, it's something for the Commanders to consider. Whether they'll get the right compensation to tempt them into pulling the trigger is another matter.
On this topic, here are seven Commanders players who might be traded if those in power do look to recoup assets before the deadline.
Commanders might trade Kamren Curl
We'll keep this one short because it's not something the Washington Commanders should seriously consider. However, Ben Standig of The Athletic mentioned Kamren Curl as a possible trade candidate in an article this week.
Curl has far exceeded expectations as a seventh-round selection. The productive safety is out of contract in 2024 and with no new deal imminent, the Commanders might explore options to get something back in return.
Although nothing should be dismissed entirely, this would not go down well. Curl is a fan favorite and one of the most consistent performers within the secondary, so letting him go is not smart business all things considered.
Commanders might trade Curtis Samuel
Some tough decisions await the Washington Commanders heading into the trade deadline and once the 2023 season comes to a conclusion. A number of proven locker room figures are looking for contract extensions and with only so much money to go around, the franchise is in danger of losing some valuable contributors for nothing unless they get proactive.
One player who fits into this particular category is Curtis Samuel. The gifted wide receiver has gone about his business impressively this season, benefitting greatly from a more expansive role within Eric Bieniemy's scheme and being utilized all over the field to maximize a varied skill set.
Samuel is the team's second-highest financial commitment in 2023 on the final year of his deal, counting $13 million on the salary cap. Something that might lead the front office to become receptive if a decent offer comes along.
Teams around the league are always looking to bolster their pass-catching options. Samuel's unique athletic traits and his ability to create separation consistently would no doubt intrigue, even if it would leave the Commanders short of dependable weapons with Jahan Dotson going through a sophomore slump.
This would also end Samuel's long association with head coach Ron Rivera which began with the Carolina Panthers and continued in Washington. However, it's unlikely the Commanders would move the wideout unless it was compensation they couldn't refuse.
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.
Commanders might trade Kendall Fuller
It was hard to look at Kendall Fuller's long-term aspirations beyond 2023 with any real optimism heading into the campaign. The Washington Commanders drafted Emmanuel Forbes at No. 16 overall in the draft, meaning the potential replacement had been found for the veteran cornerback heading into the last year of his deal.
Fuller's contribution often gets overlooked compared to other high-profile names on Wasington's star-studded defense. He's been among their most consistent performers once again through seven games while those around him have fluffed their lines, which has bolstered his chances of earning another contract when the time comes.
However, a scenario might come to light where the Commanders get an intriguing offer for Fuller at the trade deadline. We've already seen some established defensive backs involved in trades, which makes this a situation to monitor if Washington gets beaten by the Philadelphia Eagles at FedEx Field next weekend.
This would be a questionable move if the compensation didn't match. Forbes is finding it difficult and is being kept out of the firing line, with Benjamin St-Juste also going through complications as evidenced by his woeful outing against Jalin Hyatt at the New York Giants.
Again, it would be a shock if Fuller was traded - perhaps even ill-advised. But if the Commanders do end up participating in a fire sale, he'd almost certainly draw interest.
Commanders could might Jacoby Brissett
The Washington Commanders have hitched their wagon to Sam Howell for good or bad this season. While it's been far from perfect, there is enough to suggest the former fifth-round selection can become a productive quarterback long-term if the offensive line improves.
That might not be the case this season, which means the rollercoaster will continue for Howell. The Commanders only have themselves to blame, with suspect signings and ignoring productive protectors from the college ranks coming back to haunt Ron Rivera in the worst way imaginable.
Rivera recently reaffirmed his faith in Howell and it would be surprising to see the signal-caller benched unless there was a drastic drop-off in form. That means it's unlikely veteran free-agent signing Jacoby Brissett is unlikely to see the field barring injury.
This could be something that leads to Brissett taking his chances elsewhere if the right offer comes along. His dependability and experience to step in at a moment's notice would obviously interest teams looking to fortify their quarterback depth, although it would be nothing more than a mid-to-late round draft pick given he only signed a one-year deal in free agency.
If Howell got hurt, the season is all but over in any case. Getting capital for Brissett and elevating Jake Fromm from the practice squad onto the 53-man roster might be a sensible way for the Commanders to approach this particular situation.
Commanders might trade Logan Thomas
Holding a complete fire sale represents a drastic measure from the Washington Commanders. Ron Rivera might be extremely reluctant given his own job prospects are hanging by a thread, but whether this message comes from higher-ups despite the figurehead having control of personnel remains to be seen.
It's an interesting dynamic and a hot topic for discussion over the next week, that's for sure. Rivera could appease the new ownership group by getting rid of one or two that could be released in 2024 as part of salary-cap cuts, which puts tight end Logan Thomas firmly under the microscope.
Thomas has been relatively healthy this season and is a trusted weapon for quarterback Sam Howell. The former fourth-round selection already boasts 236 receiving yards and two touchdowns, which isn't elite production by any stretch but at the same time, isn't terrible by any stretch.
The converted quarterback is set to count $8.31 million against the cap on the final year of his deal in 2024. That makes Thomas a prime cut candidate with $5.1 million (pre-June 1) and $6.9 million (post-June 1) savings attached, so recouping a draft pick if providing sufficient interest arrives is something to discuss.
Whether there would be a market for Thomas is anyone's guess given his injury history. The financial implications might also put potential suitors off when push comes to shove.
Commanders might trade Antonio Gibson
The running game is easily one of the biggest Washington Commanders' disappointments through seven games. Starting slowly hasn't helped, but it's hard to look at the numbers and think it's been anything other than a major underachievement considering the hopes many had before a competitive down was played.
Brian Robinson Jr. has flashed and Chris Rodriguez Jr. looks like a player that would benefit from more involvement. Antonio Gibson's also had some nice moments, but ball security remains an issue and with the player out of contract next spring, trading him could be something those in power contemplate if another team comes calling.
Gibson's best asset comes as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Looks have been hard to come by despite talk of wanting to get the former Memphis star more involved within Eric Bienieny's scheme, which seemingly makes him an expendable piece from the outside looking in.
Running backs don't tend to get any sort of value on the trade market in today's NFL unless it's an elite weapon like Christian McCaffrey, for example. Therefore, the compensation would revolve around a late Day 3 selection or even a pick swap if any interest arrived.
The more likely scenario is Gibson sticking around and leaving in 2024 free agency. A situation that not many would have predicted following his impressive 1,000-yard rushing season as a sophomore.
Commanders might trade Chase Young
As previously stated, the Washington Commanders have a big financial complication on their hands with Chase Young and Montez Sweat. And it won't be much longer before things come to a head with the defensive end duo.
Young's situation was a precarious one heading into the campaign. The Commanders opted to decline his fifth-year option after two seasons plagued by injury, which was an extremely unfortunate turn of events following the player's impressive rookie year littered with individual accolades in 2020.
The former No. 2 overall selection missed the opening game, which only raised concerns. However, Young has been immensely productive since then, looking like the force of old and someone who should be part of Washington's long-term plans.
This is all positive for Young after so much turmoil. But the simple fact is Washington isn't winning enough and considering the money already tied up in the defensive tackle tandem of Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, he could be traded if the Commanders get a substantial offer.
Young's stock might never be higher for such an eventuality after outstanding production this season. At the same time, if he goes elsewhere and dominates, it'll be seen as another critical error from a decision-making process coming under fire for their personnel acquisitions in recent months.
Interest should be high in Young, but it would likely take a lot for Washington to give any trade the green light.