Though the deadline is Monday, May 1, the Washington Commanders have already made the determination that they will exercise the fifth-year option on Montez Sweat’s contract.
The Commanders’ decision to pick up his option will result in the defensive end being guaranteed $11.5 million for the 2023 season.
We have exercised DE Montez Sweat's fifth-year option pic.twitter.com/tetz4AUYah
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 27, 2022
This development comes only one day after it was revealed the Commanders have no intention to extend defensive tackle Daron Payne. Washington inexplicably let fellow defensive tackles Tim Settle and Matt Ioannidis go in March. Settle signed with Buffalo for only $9 million over two years and Ioannidis was released.
If the front office was not going to extend Payne, they could have kept both Settle and Ioannidis, and then traded Payne for a draft pick or two earlier in the offseason for more than they will get now when they have revealed they need to trade him.
The moves mean Washington will have Jonathan Allen, Sweat and Chase Young securely through the 2023 season and with their losing Ioannidis, Settle and possibly Payne, they are most likely to draft a defensive tackle this week, as well as sign a veteran free agent defensive tackle following the draft.
Sweat was selected by Washington 26th overall in the 2019 draft and is still only 25 years old. In his three seasons in Washington, Sweat has accumulated seven forced fumbles, 21 sacks, 46 QB hits, 23 tackles for a loss and a 15-yard interception return touchdown in a 2020 Thanksgiving Day win at Dallas.
