‘Just go’: Pass rusher Josh Sweat ready to get Cardinals over hump

TEMPE — Nike has made an absolute killing on “Just Do It.”

New Arizona Cardinals pass rusher Josh Sweat and his motto can say the same needing fewer words:

“Just go.”

That mentality was a big reason behind Sweat’s success at the Super Bowl, with Philadelphia’s defense pinning its ears back against Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

As he put it Thursday, the game plan was, “Let’s go get Mahomes.”

And it’s a big reason why Sweat decided to sign with Arizona this offseason, knowing what head coach Jonathan Gannon and coordinator Nick Rallis bring to the table as defensive minds.

What is new Cardinals pass rusher Josh Sweat most excited about being back in a defense led by head coach Jonathan Gannon and DC Nick Rallis?

“Just (being able to) go for the most part. Just go. … They know the strengths. Just let me go.” pic.twitter.com/YhnzKZuwar

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) March 13, 2025

“Just (being able to) go for the most part. Just go,” Sweat said Thursday when asked what he missed about playing in a unit led by Gannon and Rallis. “They know my strengths. Just let me go.

“That’s how I want every game to be for me. There was no assignment. We were just running back there,” he added referencing the just-go gameplan against Mahomes where he registered 2.5 sacks. “That’s how I hope it continues to be.”

Easy enough.

There was a clear buzz surrounding Sweat throughout his introductory press conference on Thursday.

Whether it be laughing about his time with Gannon and Rallis or getting down to the brass tax of the whirlwind that comes with winning a Super Bowl and free agency soon after, the pass rusher already seemed at home with a laugh or smile.

But just as important as being able to “just go,” though Sweat said he’ll do whatever the coaches ask, there was another huge factor behind the veteran pass rusher choosing Arizona this offseason:

The chance to get really make an impact for an improving Cardinals team in its third season under Gannon.

The hunger to win isn’t lost on new Cardinals pass rusher Josh Sweat.

“I just want to win more games, man. I wanted to help. Lead however I can and bring whatever I have been taught. I just want to win.” pic.twitter.com/7HlGLkO4UP

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) March 13, 2025

“I want to be seen as the guy who going to make a difference. I really haven’t had the, I’m not going to say the opportunity, but we’ve been very talented over there (in Philadelphia),” Sweat said.

“Here it’s like I can definitely see we’re an ascending team and we can get over the hump and I can show exactly how I’m going to help. I’m excited, dog. That’s all I can really say.”

New Cardinals pass rusher Josh Sweat’s impressed under Jonathan Gannon before

If Sweat’s previous time with Gannon and Rallis in Philadelphia is any indication on what he might bring to Arizona’s defense, he should have no issue making that impact.

In the two seasons Gannon served as Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator, Sweat tallied 18.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss and 26 QB hits across 32 games (29 starts). He also returned an interception for a touchdown.

Talk about, “just go.”

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