Commanders' Ron Rivera Excited About 'Explosive' Montez Sweat

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera is pleased with the progress he is seeing in defensive end Montez Sweat.

The Washington Commanders have a lot of reasons to be excited about the 2023 season right now, whether it be the 2-0 start or the emergence of quarterback Sam Howell.

However, head coach Ron Rivera dove into something else that he has enjoyed taking in thus far which is the work and development of defensive end Montez Sweat. The former first-round pick out of Mississippi State has clearly stood out thus far through two games, and Rivera made it known when talking to the media recently.

“It’s kind of the thing that watching [Defensive Line] Coach [Jeff Zgonina] Z and [Assistant Defensive Line] Coach [Ryan] Kerrigan both work with those guys about finishing," Rivera said. "Last year it was getting Daron to finish and make those big explosives, which we saw and then this year, we're seeing that from Montez as far as finishing and that's been really kind of cool to see.”

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera and his staff against the Arizona Cardinals / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

In Washington's two wins, Sweat has accounted for nine total tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

He and the Commanders will be tested on Sunday with defending one of the league's top quarterbacks in Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills (1-1). Allen is renowned for his massive arm, but also for his ability to evade pressure and create plays with his feet. Containing him could be a challenge, but if Sweat is able to perform like he has been he and Allen may get quite familiar in the backfield.