Josh Sweat has become one of the NFL’s most reliable edge rushers over the past several seasons. Known for his explosiveness off the edge and consistent pass-rush production, Sweat built his reputation with the Philadelphia Eagles before signing with the Arizona Cardinals. His combination of size, athleticism, and pass-rush ability has made him a valuable defensive piece in today’s NFL.
Below is a complete breakdown of Josh Sweat’s age, PFF grades, stats, contract details, and trade speculation.
Josh Sweat Age and Early Life
Josh Sweat was born on March 29, 1997, making him 28 years old as of the 2025–2026 NFL season.
He played college football at Florida State Seminoles football, where he developed into a standout defensive end thanks to his speed and physical traits. Sweat entered the 2018 NFL Draft and was selected in the 4th round (130th overall) by the Eagles.
Despite early injury concerns in college, he quickly proved his durability and talent at the professional level.
Josh Sweat PFF Grades and Performance
Advanced metrics from Pro Football Focus highlight Sweat’s effectiveness as a pass rusher.
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2025 PFF Overall Grade: 74.2
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Pass Rush Grade: 73.6
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Run Defense Grade: 69.8
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Pressures: 47
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Sacks: 12
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Forced Fumbles: 3
These numbers ranked him 31st among edge defenders in overall grade for the season while still placing him among the top sack producers at the position.
Sweat has recorded 70+ PFF grades in four of the past five seasons, showing consistent production and value as a starting edge defender.
Josh Sweat Stats
Throughout his career, Sweat has developed into a dependable defensive weapon.
Career Highlights
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43+ career sacks
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97 quarterback hits
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54 tackles for loss
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Pro Bowl selection (2021)
Recent Season Example
In the 2025 season:
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12 sacks
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11 solo tackles
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7 assists
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3 forced fumbles
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47 total pressures
He also delivered a standout playoff performance, including 2.5 sacks in the Super Bowl, further boosting his reputation as a clutch performer.
Josh Sweat Contract Details
In March 2025, Sweat signed a major free-agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
Contract Overview
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Length: 4 years
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Total Value: $76.4 million
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Guaranteed Money: $38 million
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Average Annual Salary: $19.1 million
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Contract Expiration: 2029
The deal was designed to give Arizona a proven pass rusher while providing Sweat with long-term financial security.
Salary Cap Breakdown
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2025 Cap Hit: $7.3M
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2026 Cap Hit: $16.3M
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2027 Cap Hit: $23.6M
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2028 Cap Hit: $23.6M
The Cardinals viewed him as a cornerstone defensive addition to improve their pass rush.
Josh Sweat Trade Rumors
Before his move to Arizona, Sweat was frequently mentioned in trade discussions during his final seasons with the Eagles. Teams were interested because he was:
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A young starting edge rusher
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Coming off multiple productive seasons
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Playing a premium defensive position
Ultimately, instead of being traded, he entered free agency and signed with the Cardinals, reuniting with head coach Jonathan Gannon, who previously coached him in Philadelphia.
While current trade rumors are minimal due to his new contract, his value means he could always attract interest if Arizona restructures its roster in future seasons.
Josh Sweat Playing Style
Sweat’s game is built around elite athletic traits:
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Height: 6’5”
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Weight: around 265 lbs
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Elite speed for a defensive end
His strengths include:
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Explosive first step
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Strong edge containment
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Consistent quarterback pressure
These attributes make him effective in both 4-3 defensive end and hybrid edge roles.
Summary
Josh Sweat has established himself as a dependable NFL edge rusher. At 28 years old, he brings experience, production, and athleticism to the Arizona Cardinals defense. With strong PFF grades, double-digit sack potential, and a lucrative contract, Sweat remains one of the league’s most impactful pass rushers.
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