While the football world waits for official word on a potential trade for Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown, the New England Patriots may be preparing a contingency plan that could dramatically upgrade their defensive front.
According to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, New England should keep a close eye on Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat. The former Eagles standout, who signed a four-year, $76 million contract last offseason, led the Cardinals with 12 sacks in 2025 and could be available amid reported dissatisfaction with his current situation.
A Pass Rush in Need of an Elite Finisher
The Patriots made a stunning run to Super Bowl LX last season, but their pass rush remained a clear weakness. New England recorded just 34-35 sacks as a team, with no single player dominating the edge. K’Lavon Chaisson, who contributed 7.5 sacks, has since departed to the Washington Commanders.
The Patriots return sack leader Harold Landry III (8.5 sacks) and bolstered the defensive line in free agency by adding Dre’Mont Jones. They also invested a second-round draft pick in Gabe Jacas. While these moves provide depth, Knox argues that adding a proven, high-impact pass rusher like Sweat would give the rotation the elite edge it needs for another deep playoff run in 2026.
“While the Patriots are busy monitoring things with Brown, they should also have an eye on Sweat,” wrote Knox. “If they hope to make another Super Bowl run in 2026, though, they’d be wise to round out the rotation with Sweat.”
Sweat’s Situation in Arizona
Sweat’s desire for a change is understandable. He signed his lucrative deal to reunite with defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who had overseen his lone Pro Bowl season in Philadelphia. With Gannon fired this offseason, the 28-year-old edge defender — and Super Bowl champion — may be eager for a fresh start on a contending team.
A move to New England would place Sweat in a system that values versatile, high-motor edge defenders. His ability to pressure the quarterback and disrupt offensive lines would complement Landry and the newly added pieces, creating a far more formidable pass rush than the unit that struggled to reach 35 sacks last season.
Strategic Timing
The Patriots’ pursuit of A.J. Brown remains the headline story, but Sweat represents a high-upside Plan B — or even a complementary addition — that addresses a more pressing defensive need. With the AFC East expected to remain competitive, acquiring a player of Sweat’s caliber could be the difference between a playoff appearance and a legitimate Super Bowl push.
If the Eagles ultimately pivot on Brown or demand a steeper price, Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf appears positioned to strike quickly on the defensive side. A Sweat acquisition would send a clear message: New England is not content with simply competing — they intend to dominate.
The coming weeks will be pivotal. Whether it’s Brown on offense or Sweat on defense, the Patriots are signaling their intention to reload aggressively for 2026.
