Commanders' Young, Sweat shrug off trade speculation

Washington Commanders pass-rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young are not giving much attention to rumors of being potential trade candidates ahead of the league's Oct. 31 trade deadline.

"I don't think about it all," Young said Thursday, according to The Athletic's Ben Standig. "Focused on the (Philadelphia) Eagles. ... I ain't tripping about nothing."

The Commanders (3-4) are trying to reverse their fortunes after losing four of their past five games.

"I mean, shit, with everything going on, it definitely comes across your mind," Sweat said. "But you try to keep your head focused on what's ahead - and that's Philly."

Washington has spent plenty of draft capital on its defensive line over the past several years. Both Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne have received lucrative extensions, leaving Sweat and Young's status with the franchise in limbo.

The Commanders declined to pick up the fifth-year option on Young's rookie contract this past offseason. He's set to become a free agent at the end of his 2023 campaign. The former second overall pick provided an immediate impact by tallying 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks on his way to being named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. His 2021 season ended after he tore his ACL in Week 10.

Sweat, meanwhile, is playing out the final year of his rookie deal after the Commanders picked up the option on his contract for this season.

"I definitely enjoyed my time here with the guys on the D-line, the people on the team," he said.

Sweat leads the Commanders with 5.5 sacks to go along with eight tackles for loss. Young sports five sacks and added six tackles for loss.

Head coach Ron Rivera isn't putting much thought into what his roster could look like after Halloween.

"We've got 10 games left. ... If we take them one at a time ... there's a lot of good things that can happen," Rivera said.

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