Commanders’ Ron Rivera focused on Sam Howell amid trade frenzy: ‘The business side of football has stepped in’

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The Washington Commanders made the biggest news of the day following the NFL trade deadline frenzy, dealing away two first-round draft picks, including former Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young, despite their 3-5 record through Week 8.

But during a press conference with the media on Wednesday, head coach Ron Rivera opted to talk about second-year quarterback Sam Howell instead and the "opportunity" the organization believes they have with him.

Chase Young, left, and Montez Sweat of the Washington Commanders celebrate after a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, October 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

"No," Rivera said when asked if trading Young and Montez Sweat on Tuesday meant the Commanders were throwing in the towel on this season.

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"What I would say is, based on some of the things we’ve seen and some of the growth and development we have, it’s an opportunity to see what else we have. It’s an opportunity to go out and win football games using different guys, and we feel that we have an opportunity to go out and play and play well."

He continued, "We look forward to seeing what some of these young guys can do. We do think that there’s every opportunity in front of us."

Head coach Ron Rivera of the Washington Commanders (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images/File)

Of the players Rivera had in mind was 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell.

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"We do feel strongly about the quarterback. It's something that I talked