Report: How Sunday’s Eagles-Commanders Will Impact Washington’s Trade Deadline

The struggling Commanders are apparently going to use Sunday’s game as a major element in the team’s approach to the balance of the 2023 season, with the NFC-leading Eagles coming to town in Week 8. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Saturday, Washington (3-4) is “expected to be influenced” by the result of its home game against Philadelphia (6-1) as it considers whether to keep or deal a few players before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline.

For the Commanders, currently third in the NFC East, a win would fortify their season and hopes of a playoff push. However, per Schefter, a loss could influence the club to begin unloading players “as soon as Monday morning.”

According to Schefter, if such a scenario occurred, the defensive line would reportedly receive the most attention, especially stars Chase Young and Montez Sweat, both of whom have contracts that are about to expire and are eligible to become free agents. Young, the No. 2 choice in 2020, was once seen as a cornerstone, but since injuring his ACL in 2021, he has found it difficult to live up to expectations. Sweat, who was chosen with the No. 26 pick in the 2019 draft, has contributed significantly to the D-line but may be looking for a more significant position elsewhere.

Furthermore, it is said that the Commanders will not be able to keep both this summer, so either Young or Sweat—who have combined for 41 tackles and 10.5 sacks this season—may still be traded. In addition to the pass-rushers, other players with expiring contracts, including as quarterback Jacoby Brissett, running back Antonio Gibson, cornerback Kendall Fuller, and receiver Curtis Samuel, might be traded in a possible fire sale in Washington.