The Arizona Cardinals‘ biggest offseason addition in free agency was outside linebacker Josh Sweat, signing him to a four-year, $76.4 million deal. It was dubbed as the move to help fix the Cardinals’ paltry pass rush.
However, defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, who also was Sweat’s position coach with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021-2022, Sweat’s two best NFL seasons, did not cite his ability to rush the passer first when he was asked about him.
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What did he note first?
“I love Sweaty,” he said. “He’s a phenomenal person, phenomenal teammate, but the player, he’s gonna bring violence in the run game, and that’s ever since I’ve been with him.
“I put on the tape when we got to Philly of the year before and I said, ‘Holy cow, this guy can set an edge.'”
Yes, the Cardinals need better pass rushing. However, they were a bad against the run. Fellow outside linebacker Zaven Collins, who has become a great run defender, now is joined by Sweat, about whom Rallis raved.
But Sweat gives the Cardinals more.
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“On top of that, he can get after the passer,” Rallis said. “So that’s ultimately what you want out of that position. You want a guy who collapses edges in the run game and gets after the passer in the pass game. So I’m excited to link back up with him.”
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals DC Bick Rallis raves about Josh Sweat’s run defense