Early in the team's 2025 offseason, there is one thing at the top of most Arizona Cardinals fans' wish lists for the team.
They want the team to bring in an edge rusher who can improve a pass rush that had a pressure rate of just 19.2%. Only five teams in the NFL pressured quarterbacks at a worse rate.
One of the most popular options to fix the Cardinals' pass rush is currently preparing to play in this year's Super Bowl.
In an article discussing each NFL team's outlook heading into the 2025 offseason, ESPN's Ben Solak predicted that the Cardinals would sign Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Josh Sweat.
"In the third year of the Jonathan Gannon-Monti Ossenfort era, a playoff berth is desperately needed, so the Cardinals will start getting aggressive with their cap space. They will add both Josh Sweat, an old friend of Gannon's from his Eagles days, and Osa Odighizuwa to a defensive line sorely in need of immediate contributors."
Sweat has played the 2024 season on a one-year deal worth $10 million, but Spotrac currently has him projected for a contract worth $15 million per year this offseason.
At that price, he could be a perfect fit for what the Cardinals need heading into the 2025 season.
Sweat racked up eight sacks during the regular season, but way more importantly, was responsible for 54 pressures according to Pro Football Focus.
The Cardinals need a player that can provide that kind of consistent pressure on opposing QBs.
Sweat also had the two best seasons of his career with Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon as his defensive coordinator.
In 2021 he earned a spot in the Pro Bowl. In 2022, he racked up 11 sacks.
Between his numbers this season with the Eagles and his past success with Gannon, this would be a move that makes a ton of sense for the Cardinals and one that could drastically improve their defense.
