‘He’s dialed in’: Montez Sweat’s improved finish leading to fast start

ASHBURN — All offseason, coaches stressed one point to Montez Sweat over and over: Finish. The Washington Commanders edge rusher, through the first four seasons of his career, had been effective at pressuring the quarterback — but didn’t have the sack totals or big plays to consistently show for it. The way to change that? Finish. Finish. Finish. 

Sweat heard the message. 

The pass rusher’s improved finish at the point of attack has him off to a fast start to the season: Sweat forced two fumbles and recorded 1½ sacks in a Week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals. And now, as the Commanders prepare to face the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High this Sunday, the 27-year-old will look to build on his progress from Week 1.

Sweat is making a big impression at a great time — the start of a contract year. In the final year of his rookie-scale deal, the edge rusher will become a free agent after the season unless he and the team agree to an extension or the Commanders hit him with the franchise tag.

If he continues this level of production, he’ll be in line for a massive payday — from the Commanders or someone else.

“The biggest thing is we harped all along about the finish and he ends up doing some nice finishing,” defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said. “So, yeah, he’s dialed in.”

Sweat seems to be on a trajectory like the one blazed by linemate Daron Payne. Last year, coaches emphasized that Payne needed to do a better job of getting to the quarterback. Payne responded with a career-high 11½ sacks — and was rewarded in the offseason with a four-year, $90 million deal.

Payne benefited from a defensive tackle market that was about to explode, lending some urgency to the Commanders getting a deal done. Washington and Payne hammered out a new contract that turned out to be a template for other defensive tackles like the Giants’ Dexter Lawrence (four years, $90 million), Tennessee’s Jeffery Simmons (four years, $94 million) and the Jets’ Quinnen Williams (four years, $96 million) to match or surpass. 

Sweat may be in a similar situation. Jacksonville’s Josh Allen, Green Bay’s Rashan Gary, Carolina’s Brian Burns and teammate Chase Young are among the other young pass rushers poised to hit the market. And teams pay a premium for quality edge rushers — oftentimes much more than they do for tackles (see the San Francisco 49ers, who recently made Nick Bosa the league’s highest-paid defender with a five-year, $170 million contract). 

Speaking at his locker, Sweat said he’s aware of some of the other edge rushers set to hit free agency but lets his agent handle his contract. Sweat said he was happy he was able to force two fumbles — one that set up Washington to take the lead — though added he “wasn’t satisfied at all” after reviewing the film. 

“It’s cool to start off with, but that’s the goal every year,” Sweat said. “You want to start off fast, whether you’re in a contract year or not. The standard is the standard.” 

Sweat’s fast start for now stands in stark contrast to teammate Young.

The former Defensive Rookie of the Year is sidelined with a stinger injury and may not make his season debut in Denver. Young, who was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and a full participant Thursday, saw his fifth-year option declined in the spring, setting him up for the last year of his contract. Both Sweat and Young are prove-it years, but they’re heading in opposite directions so far.

Coach Ron Rivera has said he doesn’t see this year as a competition for a new deal between Young and Sweat. “It really is about … how well everyone’s playing,” he said. Rivera has also been tight-lipped about potential extension talks for players in light of new owner Josh Harris buying the team. 

Young and Sweat, too, are represented by the same agency and have been tight-knit friends since becoming teammates. The duo train together in the offseason, and this year, that work included the pass rushers working at Young’s alma mater of Ohio State to study under Buckeyes defensive line coach Larry Johnson.

Sweat’s rigorous offseason regimen seems to have contributed to his impressive start. Del Rio made a point to note Sweat’s conditioning — and the edge rusher played 82% of the snaps, the fourth-highest rate of his career.

“His ability to stay on the field was stronger than it has been, which is a plus,” Del Rio said. “And then it’s just a focus, you know? He’s pretty dialed in right now.”