Washington Commanders Going 'Next Man Up' After Chase Young, Montez Sweat Trades

Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio explained how the team will proceed after trading both Chase Young and Montez Sweat.

The dream of the Washington Commanders returning to contention led by two first-round edge rushers came to an unceremonious end this week, as the team traded both Chase Young and Montez Sweat in advance of Tuesday's trade deadline. 

In the least shocking development ever, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio says that there's one prevailing mindset on his side of the ball after the trades: next man up. 

“I treat it, for me as a coach, I treat it like next man up, like somebody was injured," Del Rio said. "It obviously provides opportunities for others to play and we're excited about working with them and looking forward to going out and competing.”

The Washington Commanders traded Montez Sweat (left) and Chase Young (right) this week.  / USA Today

Young was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, a year after Washington selected Sweat 26th overall out of Mississippi State. The next group of pass rushers cycled in for the Commanders will be much less heralded. 

“We'll adjust as we feel we need to," Del Rio said. "Bottom line is we've played with [DE] James [Smith-Williams] and [DE] Casey [Toohill] before [and] [DE] Efe [Obada]. The two young guys will get some opportunities now, [DE] Andre [Jones Jr.] and [DE] KJ [Henry]. We're excited to see them compete.”

If the Commanders didn't plan to re-sign Young or Sweat, then they got pretty good returns for them as rentals. The Chicago Bears -- who seemingly plan to offer Sweat a long-term extension -- gave up a second-round pick to land him, a selection that will likely come in the top 40 of the NFL Draft. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers sent a third-round pick back for Young. Both of those picks will be added to the ones already owned by Washington, a team that's probably only one really good draft class away from being a playoff team. 

Unfortunately for Del Rio, coach Ron Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew, there's a real chance that new owner Josh Harris goes "next man up" with their positions as well after the season, bringing in a new regime to reap the benefits of the trades made this week.