Realistic expectations for Josh Sweat during the Eagles regular season

The Philadelphia Eagles have a diamond in the rough in the form of Josh Sweat.

You’ve heard the saying several times before. Pressure forges diamonds, or it bursts pipes. In consecutive NFL Drafts, 2017 and 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles selected defensive ends that they had a lot of hope for. Derek Barnett, the 14th-overall selection in 2017 and the only member of that draft class that’s still on Philly’s roster, has had his moments. but for the most part, he’s been a pipe. Josh Sweat, a prospect that the Birds found in Round 4 one year later looks like a diamond.

If you didn’t know anything about either one of these guys and you watched an Eagles game, you might believe that Sweat was the first-rounder. He’s been more disciplined. He’s the guy you want on the field in pass-rushing situations, and in 2021, he earned his first Pro Bowl nod.

Barnett is the guy that made the phrase “it’s always him” famous among Birds fans. He’s played out of control often. He’s been the disappointment, and even though he’s made some plays in big moments, he’s better known for committing personal-foul penalties at the absolute worst times.

On September 18th of 2021, Philadelphia signed Josh Sweat to a three-year, $40 million extension. We spent the majority of the most recent regular season believing Philly would part ways with Barnett at its conclusion. They’d sign him to an extension but not until March 24th of 2022. He’ll be earning $15.21 million over a three-year stretch.

That should tell you everything about how the Birds value the former first-rounder, Barnett, and the former fourth-rounder, Josh Sweat. Diamonds and pipes friends… Diamonds and pipes… Here are some reasonable expectations for Josh Sweat in year five.