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Eagles Lose Star Edge Rusher to NFC West on Opening Day of Free Agency

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Dible | Last updated Mar 10, 2025 3:40 PM ET

The Philadelphia Eagles built a Super Bowl roster in 2024 after making the playoffs in each of the three years prior, but keeping it all together is the biggest challenge of the offseason.

Of course, the Eagles were never going to be able to bring every meaningful contributor back into the fold next season, evidenced by the departure of pass rusher Josh Sweat to the NFC West Division on the opening day of free agency.

"Former Eagles edge rusher Josh Sweat is headed to the Cardinals on a four-year deal worth $76.4 million. Adam Schefter first reported the signing," Brooks Kubena of The Athletic wrote on Monday, March 10. "The deal includes $41 million guaranteed."

Sweat was among the better pass rushers in free agency. Matt Bowen of ESPN dubbed him the No. 9 overall free agent across all positions in 2025 and the second-best edge rusher behind only Khalil Mack of the Los Angeles Chargers.

"Sweat had eight sacks and 33 pressures this season," Bowen wrote on Jan. 29. "He's a long, angular mover who can win with speed-to-power, and he has built-in counters to disengage from offensive tackles. Given his age, positional value and the ability to hit the quarterback, Sweat makes our top 10."

Sweat's 8 sacks marked his second-most productive NFL campaign across a solid seven-year career. He tallied 11 sacks in 2022 and made the Pro Bowl the year prior. Sweat recorded 43 sacks total as a member of the Eagles and now departs for the desert as a Super Bowl champion.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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