Josh Sweat is one of the best impending free agent pass rushers set to hit the open market, and recent reports suggest he will not return to the Philadelphia Eagles. A fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Sweat overcame his pedestrian draft capital to become an above-average starter on one of the league’s most talented rosters. Appearing in 16 games last year, Sweat finished the final year of his contract with eight sacks, 41 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, and 15 quarterback hits while helping the team win their second Lombardi Trophy.
This strong play has made Josh Sweat one of the most desirable players on the free agent market, which means he could leave for a bigger payday. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, most insiders across the league believe Sweat has played his last game as an Eagle. Good pass rushers are hard to find, and Sweat will receive interest from all 32 teams. However, the following five teams are the most likely fits for the one-time Super Bowl champion.
REPORT: Eagles Will Lose Free Agent Josh Sweat
Possible Fits
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers desperately need to fix their defense. With Bryce Young and the offense finishing the year on a high note, General Manager Dan Morgan must focus on winning games by fixing a unit that ranked at or near the bottom of every major defensive statistic. While the defense has holes at every level, the biggest issue is the inability to get after the quarterback. Carolina never found a proper replacement for Brian Burns last year, but Josh Sweat can provide that pocket-collapsing pressure as a free agent.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have needs at every position except for quarterback. While supporting Drake Maye should be their top priority, first-year head coach Mike Vrabel and company cannot afford to ignore the defensive line. New England couldn’t get after the quarterback last year, as Bill Belichick’s departure led to underperformance throughout the roster. This team needs more talent, and they can use a portion of their $128 million in cap space to sign Josh Sweat without impacting their ability to sign a free agent offensive lineman or wide receiver.
Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby is one of the league’s best pass rushers, but he’s the only high-level talent on the roster. Head coach Pete Carroll built one of the league’s most dangerous defenses during his time with the Seattle Seahawks, and while the Legion of Boom deservedly earned most of the praise for that success, the unit wouldn’t have been as dominant without a strong pass rush. Pairing Crosby with Sweat should give the team one of the best pass rushing duos in football, which is crucial when you share a division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and up-and-coming Bo Nix.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers will probably release Joey Bosa, which means they’ll need a new edge defender next year. The team should be able to re-sign Khalil Mack, but the aging Hall of Famer can’t be the only reliable pass rusher on the roster. Head coach Jim Harbaugh believes games are won and lost in the trenches, so don’t be surprised if he spends big on a big, physical free agent like Josh Sweat.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs might have to get financially creative to afford Josh Sweat as a free agent. However, he’d be a perfect fit in this defense if they can make the money work. After watching him terrorize the offensive line throughout the Super Bowl, Kansas City should welcome the opportunity to have him on their sideline. First-round pick George Karlaftis is a good starter, but Sweat could be a considerable upgrade on Mike Danna and first-round bust Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – Imagn Images
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