Eagles DE Josh Sweat Addresses Pending Free Agency

Josh Sweat had a strong end to his 2024 season, posting 2.5 sacks in Super Bowl LIX. His attention will now turn to free agency, where he will have the option of remaining with the Eagles or joining a new team for the first time in his career.

Sweat racked up eight sacks during the regular season, the second-highest total of his seven-year career. Combined with his play on Sunday, the 27-year-old could therefore be in line for a notable payday on the open market. Sweat recently changed agents in preparation for his free agency.

One year ago, the former fourth-rounder’s Eagles future was uncertain. Short-term clarity emerged in the form of a restructured deal, though, which made 2025 a walk year and saw Sweat reduce his base salary. Given the guarantees present in the new pact, Philadelphia will be hit with a $16.39MM dead cap charge once it voids next week. That figure is separate from the cap charges which will be present from any new Eagles contract, something Sweat has not ruled out.

“Money’s important, sure, but I want to be in the right situation,” the Florida State product said (via Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer). “I don’t know what it looks like for me now, but I’m happy.”

Sweat is one of the top options amongst pending free agent edge rushers considering his age and consistent production (at least six sacks in each of the past five years). The Eagles could look to keep him in the fold considering Brandon Graham is a strong candidate to retire and Milton Williams is also a pending free agent. Losing those two in addition to Sweat would leave the Eagles in need of finding multiple replacements along the defensive front.

Nolan Smith took on a starting role this season, and the 2023 first-rounder will be expected to be a key figure along the edge moving forward (especially given the poor return on investment seen from last year’s signing of Bryce Huff). It will be interesting to see if Sweat remains in the fold for the Eagles in 2025 and beyond or if free agency presents him with a strong fit elsewhere.