October 31, 2023 4 MIN READ

Niners Get Young

Trade Deadline Tracker: Eagles Rivals Make Splash Trade

by Benjamin Paul

While the Philadelphia Eagles stayed silent, the final hours before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline at 4 p.m. EST were dominated by an NFC East rival.

Despite two close battles with the Eagles, the 3-5 Washington Commanders are now in full sell mode following their 38-31 loss in Week 8.

Washington has depleted their defensive line, previously considered the team’s strongest position, by trading both starting edge rushers.

The Commanders trade DE Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers, the Eagles’ biggest threat to an NFC title

The Eagles’ divisional rival strengthened the team’s current biggest non-divisional rival by trading 2020 second overall pick Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2024 pick, per NFL Network.

Sources: Former No. 2 overall pick #Commanders DE Chase Young is being traded to the #49ers. Incredible. Likely a mid-round pick in 2024.

After dealing Montez Sweat to the #Bears, Washington now trades Young to one of the NFL’s best. pic.twitter.com/pKuCkIw39U

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 31, 2023

Young, whose fifth-year option was declined in the offseason and is scheduled to be a free agent in March, has started to return to his defensive rookie of the year form after missing a majority of the 2021 and 2022 seasons due to injury, notching five sacks through seven games.

The move brings Young to an already stacked defensive line that includes Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Randy Gregory, and former Eagle Javon Hargrave. It is a luxury move for a team that, despite losing three games in a row, is considered the biggest obstacle to the Eagles winning the NFC and returning to the Super Bowl.

Young will get at least a third opportunity to play the Eagles this year when San Francisco heads to Philadelphia on Dec. 3.

The Commanders also traded fellow edge Montez Sweat, who is on pace for a career year with 6.5 sacks through eight games, to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 second round pick, per ESPN.

Trade: Commanders and Bears have agreed to a trade that is expected to send DE Montez Sweat to the Chicago for a 2024 second-round pick, per sources. Sweat is in the last year of his contract, and the Commanders are opting for a draft pick now. Chicago beefs up its line. pic.twitter.com/Hd7jtqDtWY

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2023

Sweat is also a pending free agent and joins a 2-6 Chicago Bears team that seems to be acquiring him for an early negotiation period rather than making a win-now move.

Josh Dobbs/Ezra Cleveland

Fresh off losing starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to a torn achilles, the Minnesota Vikings acquired Joshua Dobbs from the Arizona Cardinals.

The 28-year-old QB was traded to Arizona shortly before the beginning of the regular season, where he started the first eight games in place of the recovering Kyler Murray. Though the wins were not there at 1-7, Dobbs has thrown for 1,569 yards and eight touchdowns to five interceptions.

Murray is expected to be back soon well before Arizona is scheduled to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17, making Dobbs expandable.

Minnesota made another move by trading guard Ezra Cleveland, who started the team’s first six games, to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Donovan Peoples-Jones

After coming into his own as a number two wide receiver in 2022 with 839 yards, the Cleveland Browns have traded Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Detroit Lions following his reduction in targets and catches.

Peoples-Jones has made just eight catches in the current season for 97 yards and has fallen behind in targets to Elijah Moore as well as tight end David Njoku and running back Jerome Ford.

It is a worthy chance to take for the Lions, however, as they add dependable receiving depth that was needed following the exit of Marvin Jones.