Ever since the offseason began for the Arizona Cardinals and the rest of the non-playoff teams, there’s been one name circling around the franchise: pass rusher Josh Sweat.

On top of his already established relationship with head coach Jonathan Gannon, who was Sweat’s DC in Philadelphia from 2021-22, the free agent would be an instant upgrade at Arizona’s biggest weak point.

For those reasons, ESPN’s Matt Bowen has the Cardinals as the best team fit for his seventh-highest ranked free agent this offseason.

Cardinals coach John Gannon worked with Sweat in Philly, so he knows what he’d be getting in the 6-5, 265-pound edge rusher. … Sweat would add much-needed pass-rushing juice to Gannon’s defense, using his speed-to-power to get to the QB.

The veteran edge rusher is coming off one of his best regular seasons as a pro behind 41 pressures, 8.0 sacks, nine tackles for loss and 15 QB hits across 16 games (15 starts).

It was his play in Super Bowl LIX that was the exclamation point on his season, though, with 2.5 sacks in a dominant win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts took home Super Bowl MVP honors that night, but the pass rusher was right up there for consideration.

MVP or not, that performance did one thing: Increase the price tag for the free agent, who played on a one-year, $10 million deal in 2024. There is no way those figures are anywhere close to what he is going to command this free agency.

The Cardinals have cap space to spend, but with other needs and re-signings, just how much are they willing to lock up on a single player?

General manager Monti Ossenfort has been very measured in his spending on free agents, instead focusing on the NFL Draft to further build out the roster.

But with free agent’s stature, some added cash and Arizona’s current regime entering critical territory in Year 3, maybe that thinking shifts in 2025.

If either runway is clear this offseason, which game changer are you adding to the Cardinals defense?

Josh Sweat or Myles Garrett?

Full episode: pic.twitter.com/k18QvFQGv5

— Cardinals Corner (@AZCardsCorner) February 16, 2025

Adding to the outside linebackers room isn’t a bad place to spend, either. In addition to needing more bodies at the position, getting some premium talent that moves the needle past Zaven Collins’ team-leading sacks mark of five would go a long way.

Josh Sweat not the only top free agent fit for Cardinals

The defender wasn’t the only free agent in Bowen’s top 50 linked to the Cardinals, with Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper getting the same treatment.

Cooper is showing signs of decline, and he lost reps to Mack Hollins in the playoffs, but he still has solid route traits. The Cardinals would love a veteran like him alongside Marvin Harrison Jr., while also giving Kyler Murray another target in the route tree.

Getting on board with a Sweat-Arizona pairing is easy.

This scenario? Not so much.

While the wide receiver is just two seasons removed from his 1,250-yard effort in 2023, he didn’t give much to write home about in his eight-game run with Buffalo. He caught 20 balls for 297 yards for two touchdowns.

His playoff showing wasn’t any better behind six receptions for 41 yards in three games (one start).

Arizona could certainly use a deep threat to pair with Marvin Harrison Jr. Just not an aging wide receiver at the tail end of his career.

With Greg Dortch (restricted), Zach Pascal and Zay Jones hitting free agency, Arizona currently has Harrison, Michael Wilson and Xavier Weaver under contract who played for the Cardinals last year.

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