In discussing the Commanders’ defensive line’s issues in Sunday’s game, Jay Gruden posited to Chris Russell that maybe, just maybe, the trade rumors around them as they get halfway through a contract year mean Montez Sweat and/or Chase Young weren’t necessarily playing at the level they’re capable of by design?
Regardless of what it was Sunday in particular, the trade deadline is Tuesday, and we know that Atlanta is hot on Sweat – rumor is they’ve offered a third-rounder which can become a second-rounder if Sweat is extended – and Gruden believes a reunion with Kyle Smith, the Falcons assistant GM who was instrumental in drafting Montez in DC when he was here, would be a good fit.
“I think it’s a good spot, they play on a fast track out there and obviously Kyle knows him, and they’re still in the hunt for the NFC South if you can believe that,” Gruden said. “They have a lot to play for, and they have to play great defense down there. Their offense is struggling, so to add another pass rusher would be huge for Atlanta moving forward.”
What about Chase Young?
“To me, it’s difficult; I would think they would keep one, either Chase or Montez, because pass rushers are hard to find. I mean, having two interior guys like Jon (Allen) and Daron (Payne) is great, but you need some speed on the edge, some guys that can run and bend the corner,” Gruden said. “You can't just push a pocket from the inside, you gotta get some speed on the outside. That's why we like Montez so much, because of all the running quarterbacks he could chase down. To lose both those guys with great athleticism would be a head scratcher for me. I would think if they're gonna trade Montez, they'll sign Chase Young to a good deal.”
Money is always an issue, although the Commanders do have an inexpensive quarterback, which is a leg up – but still, three defensive linemen making elite money makes it tough to do much else, and there are other key cogs on defense that are going to need a payday soon, too.
So how do you beef up the line, sign at least one defensive end, bring back Kam Curl, AND do other stuff?
“Decisions have to be made, and you're gonna have to get some linemen in there as well eventually to help, but a team can be built with the quarterback on his rookie salary,” Gruden said. “You can spread some more money around, especially on a defense like the Jets have done and are doing a great job on defense winning games ugly. That's kind of what I envisioned Washington being with the talent they had on defense, but right now, Sam Howell throws for 400 yards and they still lose 38-31, so defensively they gotta get better, and get more talent however they choose. If Chase Young is their guy, great, but if not, then they better find another pass rusher somewhere.”
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