By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions need an edge rusher to complement Aidan Hutchinson, and Josh Sweat has emerged as a strong candidate. Heading into Super Bowl LIX, Sweat was already on lists of potential free agents from the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs that the Lions should consider. But his performance in the Super Bowl made him an even more intriguing option.
While Super Bowl MVP awards usually go to quarterbacks—and Jalen Hurts deserved it this year—Sweat’s impact was undeniable. He finished the game with 2.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, and six pressures according to Next Gen Stats. His dominant performance positioned him as a figurative runner-up for MVP.
Sweat undoubtedly increased his market value with that showing. After betting on himself with a one-year, $10 million restructured deal with the Eagles last offseason, he recorded eight sacks and 54 quarterback pressures during the regular season, per Pro Football Focus. His Super Bowl dominance solidified him as one of the best edge rushers set to hit free agency.
The main concern now is how much it will cost to sign him. Spotrac projects a three-year, $56.46 million contract, averaging $18.8 million annually. While he may not have the eye-popping stats of some elite pass rushers, Sweat’s value is boosted by his strong run defense and the lack of top-tier free agent edge rushers this year.
Turning 28 in March, this could be Sweat’s one big chance to secure a lucrative contract. Teams like the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans may be interested, but any franchise with a need for an edge rusher and the financial flexibility—including the Lions—should be in the mix.
Sweat recently hired agents Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha, signaling his intent to maximize his next contract, as he should. Following the Super Bowl win, Sweat emphasized the importance of finding the right fit moving forward.
“Money’s important, sure, but I want to be in the right situation,” he told Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I don’t know what it looks like for me now, but I’m happy.”
If Sweat doesn’t return to the Eagles, Detroit would present an enticing opportunity. The Lions are one of the NFC’s rising contenders, and Sweat could thrive alongside Hutchinson in a competitive environment.
There’s a chance the Lions could be outbid in a potential bidding war for Sweat, but that doesn’t mean they should avoid pursuing him. Even with fierce competition, Sweat’s talent and potential impact make him a player worth targeting in free agency.