Josh Sweat

Pre-draft

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

Philadelphia Eagles

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

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] Sweat recorded a career high 12 sacks in his first season with Arizona.

Regular season

Playoffs