Title: Commanders Make Defensive Line Overhaul Ahead of Trade Deadline
Date: [Current Date]
In a flurry of activity leading up to the trade deadline, new owner Josh Harris wasted no time in putting his stamp on the Commanders by revamping their defensive line, which was considered the team’s strength. The Commanders made two significant moves, dealing edge rusher Montez Sweat to the Bears and acquiring defensive end Young from the 49ers.
Sweat, who is playing under an $11.5 million fifth-year option, was traded to the Bears in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick. Meanwhile, Young, the 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, was acquired by the 49ers for a 2024 compensatory third-round pick. Young is also in a contract year after the Commanders declined to pick up his $17.452 million fifth-year option during the offseason.
These trades were part of a series of moves that could have improved the chances of teams making the postseason or going on a deep playoff run. However, big-name players such as Davante Adams, Brian Burns, and Patrick Surtain II were not contemplated for trades before the deadline.
One potential trade that garnered attention was the possibility of Derrick Henry, the star running back for the Titans, being traded to the Ravens. The Ravens, known for their aggressive approach at the trade deadline, were reportedly interested in adding Henry to their rushing attack. However, the Ravens lacked the salary cap space to take on Henry’s contract, even with the inclusion of running back Gus Edwards in the trade.
The Titans, who have a 3-4 record, are likely to be fighting for a wild-card spot at best, making it unlikely that Henry fits into their long-term plans. With an expiring contract and turning 30 in January, the Titans seem to have already found Henry’s replacement in Tyjae Spears, whom they drafted in the third round this year.
Another potential trade involved Mike Gesicki, the tight end for the Patriots, being traded to the Bengals. The Bengals, in need of an upgrade at tight end, could have benefited from Gesicki’s skills in the passing game. However, the Patriots, despite their disappointing 2-6 start to the season, did not make any moves before the deadline.
Lastly, there were discussions between the Raiders and Saints regarding a trade involving wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. Although the trade did not materialize, it highlighted the Raiders’ willingness to part ways with Renfrow and the Saints’ interest in adding him to their roster.
Overall, the trade deadline saw significant activity, particularly in revamping defensive lines. While some potential trades did not come to fruition, the Commanders, Bears, 49ers, Ravens, Titans, Bengals, Raiders, and Saints were all involved in discussions that could have shaped the remainder of the season for these teams.
Please note that trades cannot be executed again until the 2024 league year begins on March 13th.New Owner Josh Harris Makes Moves to Revamp Commanders’ Defensive Line
In a flurry of activity leading up to the trade deadline, new owner Josh Harris wasted no time putting his stamp on the Commanders by revamping the team’s defensive line. The defensive line was considered the strength of the team, but Harris saw room for improvement and made some bold moves.
One of the most notable trades was the departure of edge rusher Montez Sweat. Playing under an $11.5 million fifth-year option, Sweat was dealt to the Bears in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick. This move not only gave the Commanders some valuable draft capital but also freed up some salary cap space.
Sweat’s counterpart at defensive end, Young, was also on the move. He was acquired by the 49ers in exchange for a 2024 compensatory third-round pick. Young, the 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, is in a contract year after the Commanders declined to pick up his $17.452 million fifth-year option during the offseason.
While these trades were significant, there were three more trades that could have potentially improved teams’ chances of making the postseason or going on a deep playoff run. However, big-name players such as Davante Adams, Brian Burns, and Patrick Surtain II were not on the trading block and were not considered for trades before the deadline.
One potential trade that garnered attention was the possibility of Derrick Henry, the star running back for the Titans, being traded to the Ravens. The Ravens, known for their aggressive moves at the trade deadline, were reportedly interested in adding Henry to their rushing attack. However, the Ravens lacked the salary cap space to take on Henry’s contract, even with the departure of running back Gus Edwards.
Henry, who is making $10.5 million in base salary during the 2023 season, also has a $500,000 incentive for rushing for 1,300 or more yards. The Titans would have had to convert $4.5 million of Henry’s remaining salary into a signing bonus to facilitate the trade, which would have made it more manageable for the Ravens.
In addition to the potential Henry trade, there was also speculation about a trade involving Mike Gesicki, the tight end for the Patriots. The Bengals, in need of an upgrade at tight end, could have benefited from acquiring Gesicki. However, no trade materialized before the deadline.
Overall, the trade deadline saw some significant moves, particularly in revamping the Commanders’ defensive line. While some potential trades didn’t come to fruition, the deadline provided an opportunity for teams to make strategic moves to improve their chances in the postseason.