The NFL trade deadline this year featured six deals on Tuesday, but it wasn’t quite as exciting as it was the year before, when 19 players switched teams and 12 players were moved on the last day.
Well-known defensive players were forced to move. A quarterback moved residences. And one team committed a grave mistake by holding onto a talented wideout.
A summary of some of the biggest movers and shakers from the trade deadline is provided below.
Winner: Josh Ha, owner of the Washington Commanders
Three months after taking over as Washington’s new owner, Harris dealt away both of his starting edge rushers, Montez Sweat and Chase Young, to demonstrate that his focus is firmly on the future. The Chicago Bears acquired Sweat, the 26th overall pick in the 2019 draught, in exchange for a second-round selection in 2024. Young, the 49ers’ second-round selection in 2020, was traded for a third-round pick in 2024 by the San Francisco 49ers.
Both Sweat and Young have contracts that are about to expire, and while they are skilled, neither would be considered dominant. It is therefore a win for Washington that it was able to acquire two early-round picks for a tandem that it was unlikely to keep; especially considering that Chicago’s second-round pick is probably going to be among the first few picks in that round. With five picks in the first 100 picks of the draught, Harris is accumulating future building blocks.
NFL trade grades: The Commanders pledge to rebuild and exchange Montez Sweat and Chase Young for Day 2 picks.
Ron Rivera, loser
At a time when Washington desperately needed a franchise quarterback (and still does), Rivera referred to Young as a generational talent when the head coach selected him over quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa in the draught. However, Young has failed to live up to the hype and has had difficulty staying on the field. He has never improved on the 7 1/2 sacks he had in his rookie season. Harris obviously had a future-focused influence on this selection. The Commanders (3-5) are in danger of losing games because of their rebuild and loss of their best edge rushers. Although Rivera’s ranking has improved, it seems doubtful that he will be available to supervise the upcoming rebuild. Washington’s draught selection order has improved.
Winner: 49ers of San Francisco
Two weeks after bringing defensive end Randy Gregory into the fold, the 49ers are still assembling a talented pass-rushing group. They forfeited a third-round pick, which, should Young reach his full potential, might turn out to be a steal. He joins fellow Ohio State Buckeye Nick Bosa on the 49ers, where he is a part of one of the league’s most formidable defensive fronts.
Chicago Bears, losers
Although Sweat is a competent player, not many in the league consider him to be among the best. He started 2023 averaging 7.25 sacks per year and has yet to record a double-digit sack season. The issue of his contract is another. The Bears, who aren’t in a position to contend for a deep playoff run, may decide to use him as a nine-game rental as he will be a free agent in the upcoming offseason.
