Pair of Commanders Defensive Stars Among Top-Ranked 2024 Free Agents

A pair of key cogs for the Washington Commanders defensive line are set to become free agents next offseason.

If the Washington Commanders are going to make the playoffs this season, it will likely be because their ferocious defensive line does enough to carry an offense with question marks into the postseason. 

However, the future of that defensive line is very much in question, with their two edge rushers set to become free agents following the 2023 campaign. 

NFL Media recently ranked the top 50 free agents for the 2024 offseason, with Montez Sweat (No. 7) and Chase Young (No. 19) each checking in on the top half of the list. On one hand, the fact that you have two pass rushers expected to be among the best free agents next offseason should bode well for the defense Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio are building in 2023. On the other hand, it will probably be difficult to retain both beyond this season. 

Sweat -- a first-round pick in 2019 -- is currently playing on the fifth-year option, which will pay him $11.5 million. Across his first four seasons, Sweat has recorded 165 combined tackles, 74 quarterback hits, 29 sacks and seven forced fumbles. 

Meanwhile, Young was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and burst onto the scene with 44 combined tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, en route to winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year. However, he underwhelmed in nine games prior to tearing his right ACL in 2021, and 2022 essentially turned into a lost season. Washington declined his fifth-year option, so this really is a prove-it year for a player who once seemed destined to be one of the best pass rushers in the sport. Young is still only 24, so if he has a big year, he'll be well-compensated in 2024, whether the franchise tag is placed on him or he lands a long-term deal. 

For Washington, though, it's fair to wonder if they'll be able to keep both Young and Sweat given that they have already made long-term investments in both Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne on the defensive line. If Young bounces back, it will be interesting to see how the Commanders -- who are slated to have $79 million in cap space to work with next offseason -- proceed with both him and Sweat as they approach free agency. Keeping both would probably become much more realistic if quarterback Sam Howell, under a rookie contract through 2025, looks like the long-term answer at the position for the Commanders. 

---

You can follow Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Washington Commanders? Click Here

Follow Commander Country on Twitter.

Want even more Washington Commanders news? Check out the SI.com team page here.