On March 10, 2025, the Arizona Cardinals made headlines by signing former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat to a lucrative four-year contract totaling $76.4 million. With $41 million guaranteed, this move marks the Cardinals' first significant acquisition of the free agency period and reunites Sweat with his former defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, who is now head coach of the Cardinals.
At 27 years old, Sweat is coming off his best season yet, recording eight sacks, 15 quarterback hits, and nine tackles for loss for the Eagles during the 2024 regular season. His standout performance peaked during Super Bowl LIX, where he delivered 2.5 sacks against Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, contributing to the Eagles' dominant 40-22 victory.
Josh Sweat's career started on promising footing, as he was selected by the Eagles as the 130th overall pick during the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Over his seven seasons with the Eagles, Sweat has played 104 games, achieving remarkable statistics with 43.0 sacks, 97 quarterback hits, and 237 tackles. Sweat's most impressive statistical season came in 2022 when he had 11 sacks and 23 quarterback hits.
Making his transition easier is Gannon’s familiarity with Sweat’s playing style and strengths. Having served as Sweat's defensive coordinator during his best seasons, Gannon will look to employ his defensive prowess to bolster the Cardinals' pass rush, which has noticeably struggled since the departure of Chandler Jones prior to the 2022 season.
His recent success and potential have made Sweat one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason. Despite past medical issues, including knee dislocation during high school football and an artery rupture prior to the 2022 playoffs, Sweat has proven remarkably resilient. Since becoming the Eagles' full-time starter, he has remarkably only missed 12 regular-season games throughout his entire career, and more impressively, has not missed more than one game per season (excluding playoffs) since 2020.
Notably, Sweat's capacity to excel under pressure is reflected not merely by his statistics but also by his consistent performances when it matters most. Exampled by his Super Bowl showing, he has developed a reputation as an impactful edge rusher. He has become well-respected among teammates and fans alike for his dedication and relentless approach to the game. The Cardinals' acquisition of Sweat can potentially turn around their defensive performance, boosting their chances for success in the upcoming NFL season.
With the recent free-agent frenzy, Sweat's signing follows the New England Patriots snapping up fellow Eagles player Milton Williams earlier on the same day, signifying the significant changes for one of the teams at the forefront of the NFL.
Overall, this monumental signing presents new opportunities for Sweat and highlights the intense competitive nature of NFL free agency. Cardinal fans are optimistic about having the dynamic defensive player on their roster, hoping his proven track record carries them toward future success.