Washington Commanders' Montez Sweat Reveals 'Embarrassment': 'Why Not 'Redskins'?

The Washington franchise underwent a name change from Redskins to Commanders, but Montez Sweat wasn't a fan of it.

Oct 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat (90) / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Commanders have been a franchise in a state of constant change for the last couple of seasons. While now the change is seen as good with a new era being ushered in under the watchful eye of owner Josh Harris, the constant changing of the team's name led former defensive end Montez Sweat feeling uneasy.

While Sweat is no longer in Washington after he was dealt to the Chicago Bears mid-season last year, he still has some strong thoughts on the constant alterations.

First the Washington Redskins were changed to the Washington Football Team before the Washington Commanders name stuck.

But for Sweat, the whole ordeal left him embarrassed.

"I got drafted as a Redskin, Sweat said on the Green Light podcast with Chris Long. "Then I was a Football Team. And then I was a commander I don't know - I think I'm missing one. "So I went through on all three phases [and] every time I'm like, 'Bro, why won't this be the Redskins? It's part of the culture - what's the problem?' If it was up to me, we would have just been the Redskins. I was so embarrassed. I was so embarrassed. So when people asked who I played for, I [just said] Washington."

Oct 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat (90) / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

After the constant ID shifting of the franchise, it now feels like the Commanders name has stuck. Although there were some who thought another change was coming with new owner Josh Harris.

The franchise has been in a state of flux for the last couple of seasons with the Dan Synder issues and the team name needing to be changed. Now, things appear to finally be trending in the right direction.

Coach Dan Quinn and GM Adam Peters have been tasked with bringing the Commanders into this new and exciting era. Key free agent signings have been made to better the roster and now the NFL Draft awaits with Washington holding the No. 2 overall pick.

There still might be some uneasiness with the Commanders name, but as of now, the name seems to be firmly stuck to the franchise ... even if Sweat still isn't a fan.