Chase Young’s time with Commanders is ticking despite strong play

“They won’t say it publicly, but they will (sell),” the executive told Ben Standig of The Athletic. “They’re looking for value. All on the table.” 

Per Standig, the Commanders have not held extension talks with either Young or Sweat, who are both in the final year of their contracts. 

Sweat, 27, has been a consistent presence off the edge for Washington throughout his career, collecting 34.5 sacks in 66 games. Young, the No. 2 selection in the 2020 NFL draft, has resurrected his trade stock this season after missing 22 games over the two prior years. In six games, Young has recorded 9.0 quarterback hits and 5.0 sacks — just 2.5 away from his career-high 7.5 sacks as a rookie.  

In April, Washington chose to decline Young's fifth-year option and with new ownership in town, there are likely more drastic changes on the horizon. 

Head coach Ron Rivera appears to be on the hot seat as he has yet to finish a season with a record above .500 since taking over the role in 2020. While Young has the skillset to be a building block in Washington, more often than not, new regimes value the upside of draft assets over holdovers from a past regime.  

Playing the best football of his professional career, expect trade buzz to build around Young's name at the deadline as the Commanders look to take advantage of his surging trade value.