EDGE Josh Sweat vindicates big contract from Cardinals by making NFL's most anticipated offseason list

From NFL.com:" "Sweat might have made the list on his Super Bowl performance alone. He was the most damaging of Philadelphia’s game-wrecking pass rushers, leading the defense with six quarterback pressures and 2.5 sacks as the Eagles thwarted the Chiefs’ three-peat dreams. He then cashed in this offseason with the Cardinals. If history serves, Sweat should excel for a largely remade front seven -- he is reuniting with former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, under whom he had 18.5 sacks and a Pro Bowl appearance from 2021-22. Sweat led the Eagles with 8.0 sacks and was second on the team with 15 QB hits in 2024. Sweat is one of six edge rushers with four-plus sacks and 10-plus QB hits each of the last six seasons (Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, Brian Burns, Montez Sweat)."

The Cardinals signed Sweat to a four-year, $76.4 million contract with $41 million guaranteed back in March. A legitimate pass rusher was one of Arizona's biggest needs, and Sweat has averaged eight sacks over his past four seasons. He was largely considered the best pass rusher available in free agency despite 2024 not being the best year of his career.

However, he was an absolute force during Super Bowl LIX, and should greatly benefit by reuniting with Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. In Gannon's last season as the Eagles' defensive coordinator, Sweat recorded 48 total tackles, 11 sacks, 27 quarterback pressures, one forced fumble, and one interception. Still just 27-years-old, Sweat slowing down shouldn't be much of a concern.

2025's Top 100 Players list is being released a little bit differently this year. Only two players will be revealed on each weekday, a total of 10 per week. The announcements are coming via X and NFL+, running from June 30 through August 29. The top 10 will be aired on NFL Network on September 1.