Former Washington Commanders star rages over gut-wrenching departure

The Washington Commanders had some difficult decisions to make in pursuit of getting this storied franchise back on solid footing. Josh Harris' ownership group spent their first few months assessing everything across the organization before making alterations. The changes have been nothing short of dramatic ever since.

One of the first blockbuster moves made under Harris' ownership came just before the 2023 trade deadline. The Commanders had a predicament on their hands with Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Both edge rushers were out of contract in 2024. It was widely expected that one would be sacrificed for draft capital to help their expected rebuild.

Washington traded both.

Young was moved to the San Francisco 49ers for nothing more than a third-round compensatory pick that eventually became wide receiver Luke McCaffrey. Sweat was shipped to the Chicago Bears for a high-end second-round selection.

Montezs Sweat blasts Commanders over trade decision in 2023

This was an offer the Commanders felt was too good to turn down. It left fans shocked and negated any pass-rush over the second half of 2023. The transaction also infuriated Sweat, who expressed his rage about how his gut-wrenching departure unfolded when speaking to Dan Pompei from The Athletic.

"I was shocked. In disbelief. I was very emotional. I was angry and probably said some things I wanted to take back. Maybe. It felt like somebody kind of gave up on you, like you aren’t good enough anymore. In Washington, everyone was kind of like an alpha male and they are great players, but it was hard for guys to make sacrifices for all of us to be of one accord. In Chicago, we don’t have that problem. We all work together. I’m playing more free, not worried about getting hurt. I thought it would happen in Washington, but that’s not how it played out, and I have no regrets about how it did. This is where God wanted me to be, in Chicago."

- Montez Sweat via The Athletic

Everything worked out okay for Sweat. The former second-round pick got paid and earned his first Pro Bowl selection after hitting the ground running in a different environment. His loss was felt much greater than Young's, who fizzled out after a promising start and didn't last long in San Francisco before joining the New Orleans Saints in free agency.

Sweat's bitterness is understandable to a certain extent. He also must acknowledge that the NFL is a business above all else. Trading him got a premium pick Adam Peters used well. It also saved the front office a ton of money to spend elsewhere.

The Commanders bolstered their pass-rushing options this offseason. Dorance Armstrong Jr., Clelin Ferrell, and Dante Fowler Jr. will be tasked with filling the gaping void. It's an upgrade, but whether it comes with the necessary upturn in production is another matter.

That will be no concern of Sweat's. He's focused on propelling the Bears to prominence after the team secured some notable additions - including No. 1 pick Caleb Williams - throughout the recruitment period. He'll be aiming for double-digit sacks once again en route to more Pro Bowl consideration and maybe even entering the All-Pro discussion.

Those in power at the time did what they thought was right. But there will be a few envious glances in Sweat's direction if the Commanders can't generate pressure consistently in 2024.