The Washington Commanders traded defensive end Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears Tuesday, ahead of the NFL trade deadline. In return, Washington receives Chicago’s second-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, which, if the season ended today, would be No. 35 overall.
The Commanders long wanted to retain Sweat, but the change in ownership delayed any chances at a potential long-term deal. Rather than losing Sweat for a compensatory third-round selection in 2025, Washington agreed to trade Sweat, guaranteeing compensation in 2024.
Compensatory selections are not guaranteed. If the Commanders spent a specific amount in free agency in 2024, it could cancel any compensatory pick Washington would receive in 2025, making this an excellent move for the Commanders and new owner Josh Harris.
What did social media think of the trade? Here are some of the best reactions to the Sweat trade.
The best reaction so far
Bears: We’ll give you a second rounder for—
Commanders: https://t.co/r9eDxB0eTW pic.twitter.com/SGr6qm8sxm
— Daniel (@dshif) October 31, 2023
Craig Hoffman
Big asset in return. Should be able to draft a starter, and potentially a really high level one.
I love the way Sweat plays, but realistically they couldn’t keep everyone and the market for Young probably didn’t develop the way it did for Sweat. https://t.co/qOd0eN92ex
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) October 31, 2023
All about the future
Trading Montez Sweat away for future picks is far more important than when staff changes get made. New owners are building for the future. Now.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 31, 2023
That trade makes the rest of this season even easier to endure. If Sam puts out more performances like Sunday..new regime may feel confident enough in him to build around him…if he continues with the up & down…you've accumulated attractive assets for a move up in draft for QB
— Dre (@DCSportsDre) October 31, 2023
The trade had to happen. They got a tremendous return when it comes to a draft pick. Weren’t gonna be able to afford resigning him. Best case scenario when all the prior chatter was about a possible 3rd rounder. New owners have weighed in. #Commanders
— Chick Hernandez (@MrChickSports) October 31, 2023
Kyle Crabbs
…so it's their own 2024 2nd? Ryan Poles what are you DOING dude? https://t.co/aoZVDpT1sy
— Kyle Crabbs (@GrindingTheTape) October 31, 2023
Fan reactions
Rest of this season, I have two favorite teams: whoever's playing the Commanders, and whoever's playing the Bears.
— Burgundy Blog (@BurgundyBlog) October 31, 2023
Now we need the Bears to get punished all year to make it a top 37 pick.
— Marshall (@MarshW_7) October 31, 2023
Best wished to @_sweat9 . I appreciated his professionalism and the way he played the game for us. Salut.
— Disco (@discoque5) October 31, 2023
Love the value for Commanders
This is honestly best case scenario for Washington. If the Bears aren’t signing him to an extension I have no clue what they’re doing but that 2nd round pick could be very high https://t.co/ToCNj5HcnH
— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) October 31, 2023
What does this mean for Chase Young?
I will now be very surprised to see Chase Young walk out that door.
He’s a good player but also a big face of this Commanders franchise from a marketing aspect.
I think Washington will find a way to lock him up long term. That’s just my opinion.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) October 31, 2023
Also: can still see a move for Chase Young as well. But there has to be value in return. Know some teams had medical concerns or at least asked questions about the knee. Will that block a move? Deadline in less than four hours.
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 31, 2023
On trading Montez Sweat:
My biggest question is what does this mean for Chase Young. Hard to imagine WSH let’s both walk but Sweat always seemed like the more likely guy to keep. Do you tag/ sign CY despite his injury history? Are both gone before 2024? Feels like a possibility.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) October 31, 2023
Chase Young becomes a prime franchise tag candidate with Montez Sweat's trade to the Bears. The Commanders could have had Young next year for $17.452M on his 5th year option. The DE franchise tag projects to 9.263% of the 2024 salary cap. It should be $22.696M with a $245M cap.
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) October 31, 2023
More fan reactions
I’ll miss Sweat for sure… He was a gamer. But it’s a business… and new owners/staff are going to need their own toys to pick from… Let’s build for the future!
— PoeticGenius916 (@CMont916) October 31, 2023
Well at least the Bears 2nd round pick will likely be in the 33-38 range
I also don't think this is a RR move. Doesn't make sense for him. He needs to win now. The new ownership group did this IMO
— Mark Phillips (@GoingCommander) October 31, 2023
My thoughts on trading Montez Sweat to Chicago for a 2nd rounder:
– A second round pick for a player on an expiring contract is very good value, especially considering it will be an early second rounder.
– Sweat is a very good player, and I blame Ron & JDR for failing to…— Eric Sully (@CommandersRealm) October 31, 2023
Ron Rivera's reaction?
Ron waking up from his afternoon nap to find out Sweat got dealt pic.twitter.com/uBw8w5ruf4
— Not Robert Griffin (@Pseudo_RGIII) October 31, 2023
