Commanders DE Montez Sweat off to a strong start at minicamp

Sweat had an excellent answer about finishing plays: “Get his [the opposing QB] a– down.”

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Washington Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat met with the media after day two of minicamp Wednesday and appeared happy and comfortable.

Sweat is entering the fifth and final season of his rookie contract in 2023. In addition to Sweat, fellow defensive end Chase Young is also a free agent next offseason. To say the 2023 season is a big one for both players would be an understatement.

Sweat told reporters that defensive tackle Daron Payne established the blueprint for how to get paid. Payne was in a similar situation to Sweat last offseason and responded by recording 11.5 sacks and earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl. In March, he reached an agreement with Washington on a four-year, $90 million contract — the second-richest contract ever for a defensive tackle at that time.

After skipping voluntary OTAs, Sweat reported to the team for this week’s minicamp and looks like a player on the verge of a huge season.

Sweat has gotten after quarterback Sam Howell multiple times throughout the first two days of minicamp.

Zach Selby of commanders.com noted Sweat’s presence Wednesday.

Montez Sweat was putting the pressure on Sam Howell during blitz and team periods today. On the second play of the series, Sweat chased Howell as he scrambled to his left before hitting Logan Thomas for a completion. Later on in the practice, Howell avoided a leaping Sweat to dump off a pass to Antonio Gibson, earning some praise from Sweat.

With 29 sacks through four seasons, Sweat has been consistent. He was outstanding overall last season, posting eight sacks. While those numbers could improve, Sweat was around the quarterback consistently last season, and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has said once Sweat finishes more plays, his numbers would “explode.”

Sweat was asked Wednesday how he could better finish plays and offered the perfect reply:

“Get his a– down,” he said, referring to opposing quarterbacks.

Sweat did elaborate on his answer:

“Just working better at the top of my rush; I think I know how to get to the QB, I think it’s getting the ball off, getting him down, or whether it’s making a counter or just bending at the top of my rush.”

Sweat and Young are both playing for a big contract in 2023. Likely only one of the two will receive that contract from Washington. That type of motivation comes at the perfect time for all parties.