The Kansas City Chiefs went to great lengths to revamp their defense this offseason. Losing Trent McDuffie was a big blow, but they've landed a potential future star at the position in Mansoor Delane. They also added R Mason Thomas to bolster their unimpressive pass rush.
However, trusting rookies to make an immediate impact doesn't always work out. This team has no margin for error after the most disappointing season of the Andy Reid era, and it's about time they make a big splash.
Considering that, they should probably keep an eye out for what's going on in the desert. Arizona Cardinals defensive end Josh Sweat didn't show up for OTAs, and it wasn't injury-related. Unsurprisingly, it didn't take long before rumors flooded social media:
"Don’t know the exact reason for the absence, but I’ve been hearing for awhile that Josh Sweat is not particularly happy in AZ," Cardinals insider Kyle Odegard shared on X.
The Chiefs need to make a run at Josh Sweat
Sweat is a very productive player and one of the most underrated headhunters in the league. Despite his team's struggles last season, he started all 17 games and registered 30 total tackles (20 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 17 QB hits, 12.0 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 2 passes defensed, and 1 fumble recovered.
Pro Football Focus gave him a 72.4 overall grade, which ranked 31st among 114 eligible edge rushers. His pass-rush grade (73.6) was the 29th-highest in the league, with him logging 47 total pressures, including 29 hurries.
Sweat is signed through the 2028 season, and his base salary of $9.78 million, according to Spotrac, is more than suitable for the Chiefs, assuming they tinker around with some current contracts. At just 29 years old, he could be a part of Steve Spagnuolo's defense for years to come.
The Cardinals are rebuilding, and they could certainly use as many draft picks as they can, especially looking ahead to a stacked 2027 NFL Draft class. As such, the Chiefs could probably part ways with a 2027 Day 2 pick to get him, though they won't be alone in that race.
George Karlaftis hasn't lived up to the expectations, and R Mason Thomas' addition shows that they're far from satisfied with Felix Anudike-Uzomah. There's a clear need for bona fide pass rushers, and with Sweat not loving life in the desert, GM Brett Veach should throw him a lifeline and give him an opportunity to play for a Super Bowl contender once again.
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