Josh Sweat Hoped to Stay with Eagles Until Final Moments Before Signing with Cardinals

Former Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Josh Sweat reportedly wanted to remain with the team he helped lead to a Super Bowl LIX victory, holding out hope until the very end before agreeing to a lucrative deal with the Arizona Cardinals, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. The 27-year-old’s departure marks the end of a seven-year tenure with the Eagles, leaving fans reflecting on his legacy and the team’s future at the edge position.

Sweat, a fourth-round pick in 2018, signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract with the Cardinals on March 10, including $41 million guaranteed, reuniting him with former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Despite the significant payday, Sweat had hoped to stay in Philadelphia, where he recorded 43 sacks, 97 quarterback hits, and 54 tackles for loss over 104 games. His standout 2024 season—8 sacks in 16 regular-season games and 2.5 sacks in the Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs—made him a fan favorite and a key piece of the league’s top-rated defense (web ID: 0, 1, 14).

“I wanted to stay with the Eagles—I loved the team, the city, the fans,” Sweat reportedly told a teammate, per ESPN sources. “But at the end of the day, I had to do what was best for my future.” The Eagles, constrained by $18.125 million in cap space, couldn’t match the Cardinals’ offer, especially after prioritizing other free agents like All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun (web ID: 12, 19). Sweat’s exit, alongside Milton Williams’ departure to the Patriots, leaves a void in the defensive front, with Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt now expected to step up (web ID: 3).