After winning Super Bowl 59 in February over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Philadelphia Eagles saw countless defensive players leave in free agency for more lucrative deals with new teams.
One of those players who left in free agency and cashed out was veteran defensive lineman Josh Sweat. Sweat was considered one of the better defensive free agents on the open market after his performance in the Super Bowl.
The former fourth-round pick terrorized Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City’s offensive line, racking up six combined tackles, three quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, and two tackles for loss.
Based on that performance in Super Bowl 59 and what he did in the regular season under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, it's a no-brainer why the Arizona Cardinals handed Sweat a four-year, $76.4 million deal with $38 million guaranteed.
According to Spotrac.com, Sweat’s new contract value ranks 11th among EDGEs in the NFL, which doesn’t seem like a lot. But it’s a price the Eagles weren’t willing to pay, given the guys they need to pay in the coming years.
The veteran pass rusher will be reuniting with former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, the head coach with the Cardinals. Sweat had his best year as a pro under Gannon, recording 48 combined tackles, 23 quarterback hits, 15 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception (returned for a defensive TD).
Gannon will be looking for Sweat to anchor the defense. However, it might be hard for him to duplicate 11 sacks or even the eight sacks he had last season under Fangio.
Sweat is joining a Cards’ defense that was ranked 15th in sacks (41) and had the sixth-fewest QB pressures (119) last season. The Eagles only had 111 pressures, but their secondary and linebacker unit was one of the best in the NFL.
It’s hard to put Arizona’s LBs and secondary in the same conversation. Sweat won’t be playing next to Jalen Carter, Milton Williams, Jordan Davis, Brandon Graham, or Nolan Smith Jr. He will be playing alongside an older Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Baron Browning.
Campbell and Tomlinson do not command double teams in the middle of the defensive line, meaning Sweat might not have many 1-on-1 opportunities to get a sack. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see how the Eagles’ defensive line looks since Sweat and how the veteran pass rusher plays under Gannon again.