A massive trade proposal has the Philadelphia Eagles stunning the NFL once again by dealing star pass rusher Josh Sweat to an NFC rival.
The 27-year-old Josh Sweat is entering the final season of a three-year, $40 million extension he signed with the Eagles in 2021. As we saw with the Haason Reddick trade with the New York Jets earlier this offseason, Philly GM Howie Roseman isn’t afraid to deal an in-his-prime veteran pass rusher for the right price.
Roseman knew he wouldn’t keep Reddick beyond 2024, so he acquired a future day-two pick (a conditional 2026 third-rounder that can become a second) from New York for the two-time Pro Bowler. Could he end up doing the same with Sweat?
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine recently proposed one trade idea for all 32 NFL teams ahead of Week 1. For the Carolina Panthers’ entry, he suggested that GM Dan Morgan acquire Sweat in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick and 25-year-old edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson:
“Here, Morgan would be able to rectify the whole situation by acquiring another edge-rusher in his prime. Josh Sweat is slightly older than (Brian) Burns at 27 but would still be a relatively safe bet for a three- or four-year contract extension…
The team traded Reddick to the Jets and signed Bryce Huff. With Nolan Smith expected to make a big leap in Year 2, the Eagles seem to have their pass-rushing duo.
Perhaps an opportunity to get a better pick than they would get through the compensatory formula and another rotational rusher would be enough to deal Sweat.”
Josh Sweat (@SweatyJ_9) with the cross chop/club. Finishes with a short rip & gets the strip sack. If you beat the hands, you beat the man! #passrush #flyeaglesfly pic.twitter.com/NLd9J5wcn6
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) September 15, 2023
The Panthers lost their two best pass rushers from 2024 in Frankie Luvu (signed with the Washington Commanders) and Brian Burns (traded to the New York Giants). Morgan did sign Jadeveon Clowney to help the pass rush, but a true game-changer like Sweat could help this defense reach another level under new head coach Dave Canales.
Josh Sweat Is About To Get Paid
Sweat has emerged as one of football’s more underrated pass rushers since his 2021 breakout year, when he logged 7.5 sacks and four pass breakups to earn his first Pro Bowl nod.
Sweat has tallied six or more sacks in four consecutive years seasons, an especially impressive number when you consider how many other stud pass rushers the Eagles have employed.
Whether that contract comes from the Eagles or another team, Sweat promises to get paid handsomely some time between now and next year.
