By Alex Al-Kazzaz
The Washington Commanders are 3-5 after eight games this season. The team has not finished above .500 since 2015, although they did win the NFC East in 2020 with a 7-9 record. Washington has not won a playoff game since 2005 and 2023 is the team's first year under new ownership as well as a new offensive coordinator. Very few to no positive changes for the team, so the team had moves to make regarding the NFL trade deadline and they did.
Chase Young and Montez Sweat have been traded. Young is headed to San Francisco while Sweat is Chicago-bound. Washington receives a 2024 third-round pick for Young and a 2024 second-round pick for Sweat. With Sweat in the final year of his current deal, perhaps Washington is better off shipping him off anyway. As far as Young goes, the 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has failed to exceed expectations after a remarkable rookie season. Young was selected second overall in the 2020 NFL draft, and his career has been marred by numerous injuries.
In Young's case, a move to San Francisco is a much-needed fresh start. The 24-year-old has the chance to get his career back on track and he's at the right place to do it with San Francisco, despite the team's three-game losing streak. As far as Sweat goes, the Chicago Bears aren't necessarily a good alternative for him as the team is now 2-6. Regardless, Sweat was pretty much on his way out of Washington anyway whether he would leave today or shortly after the conclusion of the season.
Chicago takes on New Orleans on the road this Sunday while San Francisco is on their bye week. Young can very well make his debut for the 49ers on November 12th against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Sweat may appear for the Bears against the Saints and it wouldn't be surprising if he was not starting. Washington hosts New England this week and at this point, the Commanders have nothing to lose.