Washington Commanders trade defensive end Montez Sweat to Chicago Bears

The Washington Commanders are trading defensive end Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline on Tuesday, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. The former first-round draft pick out of Mississippi State is going to Chicago in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick.

Sweat was in the final season of his contract with Washington. The fifth-year defender was having a great season for the Commanders so far. He’s posted 6.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss through the first eight games of the year. Meanwhile, the Bears defense has 10 sacks combined.

“Commanders have invested heavily in their defensive line, extending Jonathan Allen (4 years, $72M) and Daron Payne (4 years, $90M), and also have former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young in the final year of his deal,” Schefter shared ahead of the 4 p.m. trade deadline. “All that played a role in agreeing to deal Montez Sweat to Chicago.”

Since entering the league, Sweat’s tallied 197 total tackles, 35.5 sacks, 29.5 tackles for loss and nine forced fumbles. Though the Commanders opted to send him packing, they were also reportedly considering trading Chase Young. Young was named the 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and made the Pro Bowl during his rookie season but injuries have played a large role in his career success ever since. He has five sacks so far this season, which is the last year of his rookie deal.

Giants trade Leonard Williams ahead of trade deadline

The New York Giants also executed a trade ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline, sending Pro Bowl defensive lineman Leonard Williams to the Seattle Seahawks.

Williams, a former first-round draft pick out of USC, has 21 tackles so far this season, including 1.5 sacks. In the Giants’ loss to the Jets on Sunday, he posted one assisted tackle. He started his career with the Jets, playing four seasons before going to the Giants for the 2019 through 2023 seasons.

Williams had his best season in 2020, posting 57 tackles with 11.5 sacks for New York. Alas, the Giants have struggled this season and the loss on Sunday moved the team to 2-6. Letting Williams go to the Seahawks, currently 5-2, are first in the NFC West standings.

In 2021, Williams signed a three-year, $63 million contract extension with the Giants. In exchange for letting him to Seattle, the Seahawks are giving New York a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.