The Arizona Cardinals reportedly have landed their top target in free agency.
Philadelphia Eagles free-agent edge Josh Sweat reportedly will sign a four-year, $76.4 million contract, with $41 million guaranteed. The deal was reported by multiple outlets.
Players can officially sign contracts when the NFL year begins at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday.
Sweat was one of the Eagles’ stars in their Super Bowl victory over Kansas City last month. Sweat had 2.5 sacks as the Eagles defeated Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, 40-22. Sweat recorded six tackles and three hits on Mahomes.
It was no secret that the Cardinals’ top priority was to improve their pass rush this offseason. Sweat has played seven seasons, all with the Eagles and was the team's fourth-round pick bac in 2018.
Josh Sweat reunites with Jonathan Gannon to help upgrade Cardinals' defense
Pro Football Talk had Sweat ranked as the fourth-best free agent. He will turn 28 on March 29. He is a 6-foot-5, 265-pounder who uses his speed and explosiveness to maneuver around offensive tackles. He also has the strength to overpower offensive linemen.
Sweat’s defensive coordinator in Philadelphia in 2021 and 2022 was current Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon. That connection appears to have paid off for Arizona.
Sweat had 43 career sacks, 54 tackles for loss and 97 quarterback hits. In 2024, Sweat had eight sacks and 41 tackles in 16 games.
He will join a Cardinals defense that ranked 21st. Arizona was 13th in sacks with 41. As the NFL continues to emphasize defenses getting to the quarterback, the Cardinals knew their deficient pass rush had to improve.
Sweat and the Eagles showed the NFL in the Super Bowl that the way to glory was to rush and harass Mahomes, widely regarded as the best quarterback in the league and the winner of the last two Super Bowls.
“Money’s important, sure, but I want to be in the right situation,” Sweat told the Philadelphia Inquirer after the Super Bowl.
“I don’t know what it looks like for me now, but I’m happy.”
For this move, the Cardinals deserve an “A” grade. This is a striking first move in free agency for a team coming off an 8-9, non-playoff season.
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