Washington Coaches Reportedly Pissed Bears Got Montez Sweat

Everybody knew the Washington Commanders didn’t have enough money to keep both Montez Sweat and Chase Young. The two defensive ends were headed for free agency in 2024. That means the organization had a decision to make. They would have to trade one of them, hoping to secure draft capital and using their limited cap space to retain the other. Or at least the coaches felt that was the plan. In the end, ownership green-lit the decision to trade both players. Sweat went to the Chicago Bears for a 2nd round pick. Young went to San Francisco for a compensatory 3rd round pick.

At first glance, many people slammed the Bears for paying too much. They should’ve paid the cheaper price for Young. He’s the better, younger player after all, right? Not based on reports coming out of Washington. The widespread belief is coaches didn’t mind losing Young. For all his explosiveness as a pass rusher, he also earned a reputation for being undisciplined. He’d abandon assignments trying to make splash plays, allowing opponents to exploit the defense.

Sweat was the far more reliable and respected player. According to David Kaplan of ESPN 1000 and others, the coaches were not happy to learn he was traded.

After talking with multiple football people in the NFL, I am surprised at the pushback on the Bears trade to acquire Montez Sweat. In the building the Commanders coaches are not happy he was traded. Chase Young? Not so much. Now on @ESPN1000

— David Kaplan (@thekapman) November 1, 2023

I was told Washington ownership had a strong hand in deciding to deal both Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Many in the building wanted to keep them because they believe in this team but in the end, its about the future for the Commanders.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 31, 2023

'According to another team source, the Commanders hoped to keep Sweat, but the value of the Bears’ offer proved too good. The team views the trade of Young as a potential addition by subtraction, the source said.'' https://t.co/wACe1gwot3

— Kevin Sheehan (@kevinsheehanDC) October 31, 2023

"Young, according to several Commanders coaches and other organizational sources, was viewed as an undisciplined player who developed bad habits such as deviating from assignments in an effort to make splash plays…" (Ducks for cover) @sfchronicle https://t.co/nVB0yYSxVA

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) October 31, 2023

Losing Montez Sweat hurts in multiple ways for Washington.

People are so focused on his pass rush exploits for obvious reasons. He’s been a force since the beginning of 2022, racking up 14.5 sacks and 39 quarterback hits. While not quite what you would call elite in that category, he is very good. What sets him apart from others is his run defense. Sweat’s 6’6, 260 lbs frame, raw power, and length enable him to set the edge consistently, making it difficult to run the ball in his direction. He has the third-highest grade among edge defenders this season, trailing only DeMarcus Lawrence and Maxx Crosby.

That is likely the biggest reason Chicago pinpointed him as their target. They didn’t just want help with the pass rush. They wanted somebody they could trust in every situation. Montez Sweat is a player that can play every snap for the Bears. His presence will immediately ease the burden on others like Yannick Ngakoue and DeMarcus Walker while making their already solid run defense even better. It is getting easier to understand why the Commanders coaching staff was upset he got dealt. Players like this have so much value.