Washington Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat may have to wait his turn to get paid on a long-term deal. In the meantime, Sweatly likely will take the same route as Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne.
In 2022, Sweat bounced back from a down season the year before. Injuries and the death of his brother hampered him in 2021. But last season, he played all 17 games. He recorded eight sacks with 28 quarterback hits.
Sweat has played every game in three of his four seasons. He has 29 career sacks in 59 games. Despite his success on the field, the 2019 first-round draft pick will have to wait his turn for a contract extension.
According to The Athletic’s Ben Standig, Sweat expects to play out the 2023 season on his fifth-year option without an extension. He’ll make a guaranteed $11.5 million on that fifth-year option. Sweat may hit free agency in March 2024 or get the franchise tag placed on him.
Payne is currently traveling the same path. The Commanders exercised its fifth-year option on Payne in 2022. He led the team with a career-high 11.5 sacks this past season.
His tremendous contract year put him in line for a large payday. However, Washington placed the $18.9 million franchise tag on Payne, giving the team time to negotiate a long-term deal before the July 17 deadline. As for Sweat, he is unlikely to jump the line over Payne.
Montez Sweat is the third of four defensive linemen the Commanders drafted in the first round for four consecutive years. Two-time Pro Bowler defensive tackle Jonathan Allen landed a four-year, $72 million contract extension in 2021 after being drafted in 2017.
Payne, the Commanders’ 2018 pick, is looking for a similar payday. Until the Commanders decide Payne’s long-term future, Sweat will have to wait.
Three of those four defensive linemen are not under contract beyond 2023. Washington’s 2020 first-round pick, and 2020 Defensive Player of the Year, defensive end Chase Young will enter his fourth season in 2023. The Commanders have until May 2 to exercise their fifth-year option on him.
Washington has not tipped their hands on Young’s decision. Therefore there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the once herald Commanders’ defensive line beyond next season.
