f.Eagles Super Bowl Champion Regrets Cardinals Move After Being Frequently Benched Throughout the Season.f
What was supposed to be a fresh start has quickly become a difficult reality. A former Philadelphia Eagles defensive cornerstone — once a Super Bowl LIX champion and one of the most disruptive edge rushers in the NFC — now finds himself openly questioning his decision to join the Arizona Cardinals.
Signed to a two-year deal in March, the veteran pass rusher was expected to bring leadership, consistency, and championship pedigree to a young Cardinals roster. Instead, through 12 weeks of football, he has
spent much of the season on the bench, watching his role diminish as the Cardinals fell to 3–9 and became officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Josh Sweat, one of the emotional anchors of the Eagles’ dominant 2024 defense, finally admitted the frustration that had beenbuilding after yet another game where he saw only limited snaps before spending most of the afternoon standing on the sideline — helpless as Arizona collapsed in another loss.
“I regret leaving Philadelphia for Arizona. Being benched this often and watching the team struggle without being able to help… that’s tough. In Philly, coaches believed in my role — the city believed in my fight,”
Sweat said.
The Cardinals signed Sweat to a two-year, $21.5 million contract, including $14 million guaranteed — a deal designed to make him a foundational piece of their defensive rebuild. After recording 12.5 sacks in 2024 and playing at a Pro Bowl-caliber level, the move was expected to elevate his career into its prime.
But reality has cut deeper than expected.
Overshadowed by younger edge rushers prioritized for long-term development and by new defensive system changes, Sweat has increasingly been relegated to rotational work. Instead of leading a defensive resurgence, he has been forced into the painful role of a bystander — watching defeat after defeat unfold from the sideline.
His departure from Philadelphia followed a celebrated championship run where he earned the admiration of fans and teammates alike. Sweat’s signature moment — a momentum-shifting sack in the Eagles’ 37–20 Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs — helped cement him as a Philadelphia icon. But the Eagles, facing cap tightening and roster youth movement, ultimately let him walk.
Now Sweat faces a sobering question: Is Arizona truly where he belongs beyond this season?
What once seemed like an opportunity to lead a rebuilding franchise has instead become a harsh reminder that not every new beginning leads to a bigger stage — especially when you’re watching your team lose, unable to change the outcome.
Sometimes the grass isn’t greener — even under the desert sun.
Eagles Get Huge Boost as 6-foot-6, 332-Pound Rookie OT Cleared for Return After Months on IR
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. November 20, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles entered Week 11 with renewed optimism after receiving encouraging medical updates along the offensive line. Coaches and medical staff met early Wednesday to review the health of several young players who had been sidelined for months. The goal was clear. Philadelphia wanted clarity as the playoff race began tightening around them.
The team has battled injuries across multiple positions but the offensive tackle group has carried the heaviest load. With Lane Johnson facing the possibility of an extended absence due to a Lisfranc injury, the Eagles have been searching for internal reinforcements. The staff believes one returning rookie could be critical to stabilizing the unit at a crucial point in the season.
Myles Hinton officially had his 21 day practice window opened after spending nearly three months on injured reserve. His return represents a meaningful step for a player whose size, strength and versatility were key reasons Philadelphia drafted him last spring. Coaches appreciate the timing since the offensive line needs depth and fresh legs as December approaches.
Hinton acknowledged the importance of the moment during a brief conversation with reporters after practice. In his words, “I have been waiting for this. I stayed locked in every day because the Eagles believed in my future. Now I want to repay that trust with effort, toughness and everything I have.”
His message resonated with an organization that values accountability and resilience.
The rookie arrived with a strong college résumé after starting at Stanford and later contributing at Michigan. His technique in the run game and ability to anchor against power rushers made him an intriguing long term investment. Philadelphia always viewed his first season as a developmental year but the injury setback slowed the early stages of that plan.
The practice window allows the coaching staff to evaluate his conditioning and readiness without forcing immediate activation. The focus will be on footwork, stamina and reaction against NFL level pressure. If he progresses quickly, he could become a valuable depth piece for the final stretch of the regular season.
Philadelphia understands the importance of securing stability up front as the offense prepares for its most physical games of the year. Hinton’s return brings hope that the unit can regain balance and maintain protection for the quarterbacks and running backs who rely heavily on consistent blocking.
His journey back to the field is only beginning but the Eagles see this as a positive sign at the perfect time. The team remains confident that Hinton can contribute once he shakes off the rust accumulated during his long recovery.
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