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Josh Sweat
Josh Sweat
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Josh Sweat (born March 29, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles, before being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

A native of Chesapeake, Virginia, Sweat attended Oscar F. Smith High School where he was teammates with Andrew Brown. In his junior year, he recorded 94 tackles and helped Oscar Smith to march undefeated into the 2013 VHSL 6A state championship game, where they were upset by Centreville High School 35–6.[2] In offseason football camps, Sweat impressed with his athleticism and triggered comparisons to Jadeveon Clowney.[3]

Starting his senior year as the top-rated prospect in the country by ESPN,[4] Sweat registered 25 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and eight sacks in the first two games of the season. During the third game of the season, against Western Branch High School, Sweat suffered a torn ACL which ended his season.[5] He underwent reconstructive surgery in New York performed by New York Giants team physician Russell Warren, before graduating from Oscar Smith in December 2014 to enroll early in college.

Initially being regarded the top prospect of his class, Sweat fell in the rankings after his injury. He dropped to No. 11 in ESPN's final ranking of the class of 2015, but retained his five-star status.[6] Sweat committed to Florida State over offers from Virginia Tech, Georgia, Ohio State, and Oregon.[7]

College career

[edit]

Sweat played college football at Florida State. As a freshman in 2015, Sweat played 12 games with 41 tackles, 5 sacks, an interception, 2 passes defended, and 3 fumble recoveries. As a sophomore in 2016, Sweat played 11 games with 41 tackles, 7 sacks, a pass defended, and a fumble recovery. As a junior in 2017, Sweat played 12 games with 56 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 3 passes defended. On January 4, 2018, Sweat announced that he would forgo his senior year and enter the 2018 NFL draft.[8]

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+34 in
(1.95 m)
251 lb
(114 kg)
34+58 in
(0.88 m)
10+14 in
(0.26 m)
4.53 s 1.55 s 2.61 s 4.28 s 6.95 s 39.5 in
(1.00 m)
10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)
16 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[9][10]

Pre-draft

[edit]

At the 2018 NFL Combine, Sweat ranked first among defensive linemen in the 40-yard dash and vertical jump.[11][12]

Philadelphia Eagles

[edit]

Sweat was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round (130th overall) in the 2018 NFL draft.[13] The 130th overall pick was acquired by the Eagles in a trade that sent Sam Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings.[14] He played just 68 snaps across 9 games, until he was placed on the injured reserve on December 11, 2018 with an ankle injury.[15]

Ahead of the 2019 season, veteran teammate and fellow edge rusher Chris Long announced his retirement, setting Sweat up to assume a major role in the team's defensive rotation. However, he would be beaten out in training camp by Derek Barnett for the starting spot, and would be further forced to compete for snaps with Vinny Curry. Sweat would end up playing in all 16 games with zero starts, and recording just 21 tackles and four sacks.

In 2020, Sweat would find himself still primarily playing a rotational role behind Barnett. He would go on to play in 14 games with three starts, recording six sacks, 38 tackles, and three forced fumbles. He would injure his wrist in the week 15 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, and was placed on injured reserve for the second time in his career on December 26, 2020, one day before the Eagles' week 16 game.[16]

On September 18, 2021, Sweat agreed to a three-year, $40 million extension with the Eagles.[17] Sweat would finally gain the opportunity become a primary starter after teammate Brandon Graham tore his achilles tendon in the Eagles' week 2 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. This opportunity would lead to Sweat having his breakout season, playing in all 16 games with 13 starts, recording seven and a half sacks, 45 tackles, and one forced fumble. A few months later, he would be named to his first Pro Bowl as an alternative, replacing Nick Bosa who was unable to attend due to an injury.[18] Sweat missed the Eagles' Wild Card matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after undergoing an emergency surgery to repair a ruptured artery in his stomach.[19] Sweat would be medically cleared in time for the Pro Bowl.

In 2022, Sweat would both play in and start all 16 games, in which he would record 48 tackles, 11 sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception which he returned for a touchdown.[20] Sweat helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII, where he recorded one tackle in the Eagles' 38–35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.[21]

In 2023, Sweat would play in 17 games, and for the second straight season, start all of them, where he would record six and a half sacks, 43 tackles, and two forced fumbles. The Eagles would ultimately be defeated 32–9 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round.

In 2024, Sweat played in 16 games with 15 starts, where he recorded eight sacks and 41 tackles.[22] Across the season, Sweat would become a central defensive piece of the Eagles' effort to return to the Super Bowl in Super Bowl LIX. In the game, Sweat recorded 2.5 sacks, 6 tackles, and 3 quarterback hits, helping to secure a 40–22 revenge victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.[23] He was ranked 95th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025.[24]

Arizona Cardinals

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On March 10, 2025, the Arizona Cardinals signed Sweat to a four-year deal worth up to $76.4 million with $41 million guaranteed.[25]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sack FF FR Yds TD Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD
2018 PHI 9 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2019 PHI 16 0 21 16 5 4.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2020 PHI 14 3 38 24 14 6.0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 2
2021 PHI 16 13 45 19 26 7.5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 4
2022 PHI 16 16 48 31 17 11.0 1 0 0 0 1 42 42.0 42 1 1
2023 PHI 17 17 43 30 13 6.5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2024 PHI 16 15 41 27 14 8.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 2
Career 104 64 237 148 89 43.0 7 0 0 0 1 42 42.0 42 1 11

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sack FF FR Yds TD Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD
2018 PHI 0 0 DNP
2019 PHI 1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2021 PHI 0 0 DNP
2022 PHI 3 3 7 4 3 1.5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2023 PHI 1 1 4 3 1 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2024 PHI 4 4 10 5 5 2.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
Career 9 8 21 12 9 5.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Josh Sweat (born March 29, 1997) is an for the of the (). He played at , where he earned recognition as a standout pass rusher despite overcoming a torn ACL injury early in his career. Selected by the in the fourth round (130th overall) of the , Sweat spent his first seven professional seasons with the team, emerging as a key contributor on the defensive line with 43 sacks over that span. Sweat's tenure with the Eagles included notable achievements such as earning a selection in 2021 and contributing to the team's victory in following the 2022 season, where he recorded 11.5 sacks that year alone. In March 2025, he signed a four-year contract with the as a , bringing his career totals of 52 sacks and 256 combined tackles (as of November 2025) into the new chapter of his career. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 265 pounds, Sweat is known for his explosive edge-rushing ability and has recorded 9.0 sacks in 10 games during the 2025 season with Arizona (as of November 2025). Hailing from , his journey from a highly recruited high school prospect to an established veteran highlights resilience and consistent performance in professional football.

Early years

Family background

Josh Sweat was born on March 29, 1997, in , to parents William Washington and Carlette Sweat. Sweat grew up in a large, athletic with four brothers and three sisters, all of whom participated in track under the guidance of their father, a longtime track coach in the area. This competitive household environment, where two older siblings also played , instilled a strong and resilience in Sweat from an early age, emphasizing discipline and perseverance through family-supported physical activities. Beyond athletics, Sweat showed early interest in academics, later majoring in during college, and developed a of building custom computers, which he has pursued into adulthood by assembling over 20 personal computers. His initial exposure to organized sports came through youth leagues in , where family encouragement naturally led to his progression into .

High school career

Josh Sweat attended Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, from 2011 to 2014, where he emerged as one of the nation's premier defensive end prospects. During his junior year in 2013, Sweat recorded 94 tackles, including 31 tackles for loss and 22 sacks, contributing significantly to the team's undefeated regular season march to the VHSL 6A state championship game. His dominant performance earned him All-American honors, including selections to the Parade Magazine and Under Armour All-America teams, as well as preseason All-USA recognition from USA Today. As a senior in 2014, Sweat's season was cut short after just two games when he suffered a severe injury in September during a game against Western Branch High School, dislocating his kneecap and tearing his ACL, which required in October and an extensive rehabilitation process. His family provided crucial support during the initial stages of his recovery, helping him navigate the challenges of the . Despite the setback, Sweat maintained an elite recruiting profile, ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2015 by prior to his injury, and he received scholarship offers from top programs including and Auburn.

College career

2015 season

Sweat verbally committed to the on December 10, 2014, selecting the program over top competitors including Ohio State, , , Georgia, , and Auburn. He formalized his decision by signing a on February 4, 2015, during , joining a highly touted recruiting class that included fellow five-star prospects and Tarvarus McFadden. Despite suffering a torn ACL and dislocated kneecap in September 2014 during his senior year of high school, which required surgery in October 2014, Sweat enrolled early at Florida State in January 2015 and recovered sufficiently to play as a true . He appeared in all 13 games, recording 41 total tackles (21 solo, 20 assisted), 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 1 pass defensed, 1 , and 3 fumble recoveries. Notable performances included an and sack against on October 24 and a sack in the victory over on December 31. Sweat earned honorable mention All-American honors from CampusInsiders.com.

2016 season

As a , Sweat entered the season as a rotational . He suffered a in his left knee requiring surgery on , missing one game before returning. Sweat appeared in 12 games, recording 41 total tackles (25 solo, 16 assisted), 11.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, and 1 pass defensed, along with 1 forced fumble. Sweat delivered several notable multi-tackle performances, including 2 tackles at NC State on October 22 in a 27–17 victory and multiple stops against on October 8 during a 21–7 win. He also excelled late in the season with 8 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks versus Syracuse on November 19, contributing to a 45–14 rout. Sweat's contributions were part of Florida State's strong defensive effort that season, helping the Seminoles compile a 10–3 overall record (8–1 in the ACC) and secure an invitation to the , where they defeated 33–32 on December 30.

2017 season

In 2017, his junior season at Florida State, Josh Sweat built on his rotational role from the prior year to become a full-time starter on the defensive line, showcasing improved consistency and production. He started all 12 regular season games, compiling 56 tackles (31 solo), 12.5 tackles for loss, and a team-high 5.5 sacks, while also recording three pass breakups. Sweat's breakout came early, highlighted by his performance in the season opener against No. 1 on September 2, where he tallied five tackles—including one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss—earning him ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors. Another key contribution occurred against on October 7, with five tackles and 0.5 sacks in a hard-fought loss. These efforts underscored his development as a disruptive , despite the Seminoles' overall 6-6 regular season record. Prior to the year, Sweat was named to the preseason All-ACC team and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, recognizing his potential as one of the conference's top defensive linemen. On December 16, 2017, Sweat announced he would skip Florida State's Independence Bowl matchup against Southern Miss to focus on NFL preparations. He formally declared for the 2018 NFL Draft on January 4, 2018, forgoing his senior season despite lingering concerns from prior injuries, including a high school ACL tear.

Professional career

2018 NFL Draft and rookie year

Sweat's draft stock was projected in the mid-rounds entering the , primarily due to his extensive injury history, including a severe high school and torn ACL that nearly required , as well as a during his college career. He bolstered his profile with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, where he impressed scouts with his pass-rushing ability. At the Combine, Sweat recorded the fastest among defensive linemen at 4.53 seconds and the highest vertical jump at 39.5 inches, highlighting his athleticism despite the injury concerns. The selected Sweat in the fourth round, 130th overall, of the , viewing him as a high-upside addition to their defensive line rotation. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $3,057,591, including a of $597,591. His 2017 college production at Florida State, where he recorded 56 tackles and 5.5 sacks, provided the foundation for his draft evaluation. As a , Sweat made his debut on October 7, 2018, against the Minnesota Vikings, appearing in nine games with no starts. He saw limited action primarily on passing downs, finishing the season with one tackle and no sacks while adjusting to the professional level amid a deep Eagles group.

2019–2021: Development and breakout

In 2019, Sweat transitioned from a limited rotational role into a more prominent pass-rusher for the , appearing in 16 games with 4 starts while recording 21 total tackles (16 solo) and 4 sacks. His snap count increased significantly, with 238 pass-rush opportunities that highlighted his growing effectiveness off the edge, building on the foundational experience gained during his 2018 rookie season. Under defensive line coach Phillip Daniels, Sweat refined his hand usage and leverage techniques, contributing to the Eagles' defensive rotation amid a season of injuries to other linemen. The 2020 season further solidified Sweat's development, as he played 14 games with 3 starts, amassing 38 tackles (24 solo) and a career-high 6 sacks while navigating the league's protocols that disrupted team preparations and in-person coaching. Continuing to work with Daniels, Sweat improved his run defense and burst off the line, logging over 400 and establishing himself as a reliable complement to starters and . His performance underscored a maturation in reading offensive protections, allowing him to disrupt quarterbacks more consistently despite the challenges of a shortened . By 2021, Sweat broke out as a of the Eagles' front, starting 13 of 16 games and notching 45 tackles (19 solo) along with 7.5 sacks, his most productive year to date. Transitioning fully into the opposite Graham, he benefited from new defensive line coach Tracy Rocker's emphasis on power-rush moves and edge-setting, which enhanced his ability to collapse pockets and finish plays. This growth culminated in a midseason three-year, $40 million contract extension signed on September 18, securing him through 2024 with $26.92 million guaranteed, recognizing his evolution into a high-impact defender.

2022–2024: Peak performance with Eagles

In the 2022 season, Josh Sweat established himself as one of the NFL's premier pass rushers, starting 16 games for the and recording 48 combined tackles, including 11.0 sacks—his career high at the time—along with 15 tackles for loss and 23 hits. His disruptive presence was instrumental in the Eagles' defensive line, which ranked seventh in the league in total defense, allowing 319.7 yards per game. Sweat's performance peaked during the playoffs, where he contributed 1.5 sacks across three games, including key pressures in the NFC Divisional Round victory over the and the NFC Championship win against the , helping propel Philadelphia to . Although the Eagles fell 38-35 to the in the , Sweat's 1 tackle and consistent edge pressure underscored his role in the team's deep postseason run. Sweat maintained a high level of production in 2023, appearing in all 17 games with 17 starts, tallying 43 combined tackles, 6.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and 23 hits while forcing 2 fumbles. Despite the Eagles' defense slipping to 22nd in total yards allowed (353.6 per game) amid mid-season inconsistencies, Sweat's reliability on the edge helped stabilize the unit, particularly in pass-rush efficiency. In the , he recorded 3 tackles and 1 sack in the Wild Card loss to the , ending Philadelphia's campaign early but highlighting his consistent snap participation in high-stakes situations. Building on his prior success, Sweat anchored the Eagles' resurgent defense in 2024, playing 16 games with 15 starts and registering 41 combined tackles, 8 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, and 15 quarterback hits. His efforts contributed to one of the league's top units, which ranked second in points allowed (17.4 per game) and fourth in sacks (48), emphasizing a ferocious front anchored by Sweat's versatility in both run defense and pass rushing. During the postseason, Sweat added 5 tackles and 2.5 sacks over four games, including standout pressures in the NFC Championship and a dominant showing in Super Bowl LIX, where the Eagles defeated the Chiefs 40-22 to claim the franchise's second Lombardi Trophy in his tenure. This period of sustained excellence was bolstered by the three-year, $40 million contract extension Sweat signed in September 2021, providing the security that allowed him to focus on peak execution without roster uncertainty.

2025–present: Arizona Cardinals

In March 2025, Josh Sweat signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract with the during free agency, including an $18.5 million and $38 million in guarantees. The deal reunited him with head coach , who had served as Philadelphia's defensive coordinator during Sweat's tenure there, facilitating a smooth transition into the Cardinals' defensive system. Sweat quickly established himself as a starting outside linebacker and in the Cardinals' multiple-front defensive scheme, where his pass-rushing prowess has been central to generating pressure on quarterbacks. Under Gannon's scheme, which emphasizes versatile edge rushers, Sweat's prior experience with similar concepts has enabled effective integration alongside interior linemen like . As of Week 10 of the 2025 season, Sweat has recorded 9 sacks, 15 solo tackles, and 3 forced fumbles in 10 games, contributing significantly to the Cardinals' improved defensive output. A standout performance came in Week 9 against the , where he notched a multi-sack game, including a crucial fourth-down sack that forced a .

Career statistics

Regular season

Josh Sweat's regular-season career statistics, spanning his time with the from 2018 to 2024 and the in 2025, reflect his evolution as a pass rusher. Initially positioned as a , he shifted to outside linebacker with the Eagles starting around 2020, enhancing his versatility in their defensive scheme, before being listed as a linebacker with the Cardinals following his signing in March 2025. The following table summarizes his key defensive statistics year by year:
YearTeamGGSSoloAstTotalSacksINTFFFRDef TD
2018901010.00000
160165214.00000
20201432414386.00300
16131926457.50100
161631174811.01101
202317173013436.50200
202416152714418.00000
2025ARI1010154199.00310
Career114741639325652.011011
Note: Statistics as of November 19, 2025 (through 10 games in 2025); G = games played, GS = games started, FF = forced fumbles, FR = fumble recoveries. Sweat's production trended upward after his rookie season, with sacks rising from 4.0 in 2019 to a career-high 11.0 in 2022 amid increased starting opportunities, before maintaining elite levels with 6.5–8.0 sacks annually from 2023 to 2024 and pacing for another double-digit total in 2025.

Postseason

Sweat's postseason appearances have primarily come during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played a key role in their competitive playoff efforts, including deep runs to the NFC Championship and Super Bowl. His contributions highlighted his pass-rushing ability in high-pressure situations, with notable performances such as 2 tackles and 1 sack in the 2022 NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers. In Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs, he recorded 3 tackles. The table below provides an overview of his postseason statistics by season.
YearTeamGames PlayedTacklesSacksInterceptionsForced Fumbles
201910000
2022371.501
202314100
20244102.500
202500000
Career postseason totals through the 2024 season include 9 games played, 21 tackles, 5 sacks, 0 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. As of 2025, Sweat has yet to appear in the with the Cardinals, as the team has not qualified during his tenure.

References

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