PHOENIX – NFL free agency is less than a month away, and the Arizona Cardinals are expected to be busy. Currently, the Cardinals have $70 million in cap space and are looking to upgrade the roster to compete now with franchise quarterback Kyler Murray at the helm.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!ESPN NFL Analyst Matt Bowen predicts the Cardinals to be busy and make two potential splashes in free agency in the form of Super Bowl champion defensive end Josh Sweat and Buffalo Bills’ Amari Cooper. Bowen sees the duo as a great fit with the roster, and it’s not hard to see why.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat (19) reacts after getting a sack on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the third quarter in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Sweat had one of the best cases for Super Bowl MVP with his 2.5-sacks performance to lead the Eagles’ defense to an all-time beatdown of the Chiefs. The 27-year-old is coming off a season with eight sacks and nine tackles for loss and could be a massive help to a struggling Cardinals pass rush.
There’s a connection between Sweat and Cardinals head coach Jonathon Gannon when he was defensive coordinator for the Eagles. Gannon knows how to use the 6-5 265 defensive end, namely when he helped Sweat become a Pro Bowler in 2021. Sweat will want to get paid, and the Cardinals can offer him that and more, which makes him a perfect fit in Arizona.
Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols (26) during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Bowen named Cooper as a possible fit for the Cardinals. The five-time Pro Bowler is coming off his worst season yet, with the Browns struggles and a trade midseason making it hard to settle into his role. The 30-year-old still recorded 44 catches for 547 receiving yards and four touchdowns and is only a season removed from his 2023 Pro Bowl selection, where he had 1,250 receiving yards.
A veteran presence to pair up with Cardinals rookie sensation Marvin Harrison Jr. would be great for his development. Adding another receiving weapon would do wonders for Murray in this offense, with Harrison Jr. and tight end Trey McBride his only viable options. Taking a flyer on Cooper could open up the playbook and make Arizona dangerous offensively.
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Tanner Tortorella is a sports reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @TannerTSports
