Washington Commanders 'Taking Calls' for Chase Young After Montez Sweat Trade

The Washington Commanders may not be done on the phones after trading Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears.

Montez Sweat is out the door, and Chase Young could be next.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Washington Commanders are "taking calls" on Young despite already dealing Sweat to the Chicago Bears.

Rapoport's report comes after Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report stated that the Washington Commanders are "actively initiating trade talks" for the defensive ends ahead of the trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET. 

"They're no longer just listening," Schultz said. "They are initiating the calls. Why does that matter? Why is that significant? Jerry Jones said earlier this week when you begin to do that, you begin to lose leverage." 

While losing leverage is far from ideal, getting something for the young defensive ends is better than getting nothing, especially with both set to hit free agency after this season. The odds that Washington can and will pay both are slim to none. 

Both players have excelled through seven games this season, making their trade value relatively high given that the team acquiring Young or Sweat will have them for the playoff push and an opportunity to sign them to an extension before free agency. 

Chase Young and Montez Sweat have combined for 10.5 sacks through seven games this season.  / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

"The Commanders I'm told with Josh Harris [and] Magic Johnson, their new ownership group are trying to build a sustainable franchise, essentially the antithesis of what we saw from Daniel Snyder's team over the last couple of decades," Schultz said.

The Commanders have the opportunity to blaze a trail forward into the new era of football in the nation's capital.