As the Green Bay Packers prepare for the upcoming free agency period and decide which areas to prioritize over others, one position stands out. To match or even exceed last season's success on defense, the Packers must upgrade the pass rush.
Green Bay relied on the collective performance of its pass-rush options rather than having one player become the primary source of sacks. While Jeff Hafley's unit tied for eighth in total sacks, with 45, it's a challenging feat to replicate.
The Packers should pursue a primary pass-rusher this offseason. Luckily for Green Bay, Josh Sweat of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles is about to hit free agency.
Free-agent pass-rusher Josh Sweat would be a dream addition to Packers' defense
Sweat led the Eagles last season with eight sacks, a number that also would have topped Green Bay's sack leader in 2024 (Rashan Gary had 7.5). The 27-year-old Florida State product is an impact player against both the pass and the run, making him an ideal fit for the Packers' defense.
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Admittedly, signing Sweat to a free-agent contract may not have the same type of attractiveness to it as trading for someone like Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby, but that may not necessarily be a bad thing. A team that trades for either Garrett or Crosby will have to give up draft capital, in addition to a new high-value contract, while the cost for Sweat will only be financial.
Hanging on to their draft selections in conjunction with signing someone like Sweat will allow them to have a little more flexibility in their team-building process. A trade for Garrett/Crosby would put them all in from the moment the trade was finalized.
Having the flexibility to pivot is truly valuable and should be considered when exploring their options to solidify their defensive front for next season and beyond.