NFL summer training camps are in full swing as teams evaluate their personnel after the offseason. The New England Patriots entered their camp with questions remaining to be sorted out. One position in flux was and is the edge on defense.
The good news is that Gabe Jacas, their second-round draft pick, has finally signed his rookie deal, though he's still not on the field. The team still needs reinforcements on the edge.
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox has pegged Arizona's edge rusher, Josh Sweat, as one of seven NFL players he thinks need a change of scenery, and he sees the Patriots as a prime destination. They'd be prudent to take a close look at the 29-year-old.
Though other solid options like free agents Joey Bosa and Jadeveon Clowney won't cost them draft-pick currency, if they prefer Sweat, he'd be a nice addition.
The Patriots' defensive roster is too thin on the edge to confidently go into the 2026 season
A prime offseason objective for the Patriots had to be reinforcing the edge, and the pass-rush in particular. The team's sack production was mediocre in 2025, and that deficiency was no more evident than in the Super Bowl loss to Seattle when they were out-sacked 6-1. Sweat is a premier pass rusher who's coming off his best sack-producing season with Arizona, recording 12.
Knox points out why Sweat could use a change of venue, and he cites the Patriots as one of two teams that could use him.
"Sweat, who previously starred for the Philadelphia Eagles, joined former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon in Arizona last offseason and proceeded to have a 12-sack campaign. However, Gannon was fired and replaced with Mike LaFleur this offseason, which has led to speculation about Sweat's future—though NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has insisted that Sweat won't be dealt.
Sweat should hope it will since the Cardinals are more likely to contend for the top pick in the 2027 draft than a playoff spot. Sweat should hope that he can parlay the most prolific season of his career into an opportunity with a contender in need of pass-rush help."
The Patriots swapped free-agent edge rushers this offseason, allowing solid edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson to leave while signing Dre'Mont Jones. It was a swap that was a net wash. They then drafted Jacas, whose odyssey has been one of the top negative stories of the entire offseason.
When (or if) he'll be ready to even get on the field never mind contribute is still a major question mark.
With the injury status of starter Harold Landry III also in question, the Patriots need to make a move or moves to acquire one or more edge rushers before September. They should dip into the free agent pool and add either Bosa or Clowney (or both?) if still available, and then maybe trade for Sweat.
The team need sacks and if they can work out a decent deal with Arizona, he'd be a nice option.
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