The Green Bay Packers are on the lookout for reinforcements on their defensive line after facing difficulties in consistently pressuring opposing quarterbacks throughout the 2025 NFL season. According to ESPN’s latest forecast, the Packers are expected to make a significant move in free agency to address this issue.
The team is predicted to depart from their usual approach by actively participating in free agency when the NFL’s legal tampering period begins negotiations at noon ET on March 10. Although securing a top-tier wide receiver and at least one new starting cornerback might be priorities, there remains a possibility that the Packers will aggressively pursue a seasoned pass rusher. From ESPN’s perspective, Philadelphia Eagles standout Josh Sweat seems to be the most logical choice.
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, a leading authority on the Packers, has speculated that the team will offer a four-year, $72 million contract with $24 million guaranteed to Sweat to bolster their defense, with a focus on contending in the 2025 season. “The Packers are eager to apply pressure on the quarterback without resorting to blitzing,” Demovsky noted on Wednesday. “This is defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s ideal strategy. It was lacking last season, and Green Bay watched Philadelphia dominate the line of scrimmage during the wild-card playoff clash.”
“The guaranteed money is entirely a signing bonus, with roster bonuses ranging from $4 million to $8.5 million each March throughout the contract duration.”
Josh Sweat enhanced his market value significantly with a stellar 2024 season with the Eagles. In 16 games, he notched eight sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 15 quarterback hits on a formidable Eagles defensive line, maintaining at least 40 tackles for the fourth consecutive season. He further elevated his market standing with an impressive 2.5-sack performance in Philadelphia’s commanding victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2025 Super Bowl.
Should the Packers be willing to meet his demands, Sweat would be a valuable addition to their defensive front alongside former first-round selections Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Devonta Wyatt, and Lukas Van Ness—particularly at only 27 years old, with prime years still ahead. Whether the Packers decide to pursue Sweat will depend on how urgently they feel the need to strengthen their edge-rushing capabilities and the method they choose to achieve it.
The Packers are anticipated to seek defensive linemen this offseason, though they may opt to focus their major investment on the interior rather than the edge. Even if they pursue an edge rusher, their traditional approach suggests they might prefer to discover another standout in the NFL draft, potentially as early as the No. 23 overall pick.
Nonetheless, Sweat remains an attractive option if the Packers aim to sign an established veteran. What Other Free-Agent DEs Could Packers Target? While Sweat is considered the premier pass rusher available as the 2025 league year commences at 4 p.m. ET on March 12, he isn’t the only one who might pique the Packers’ interest if they seek an impactful veteran. Three other players in their prime—Malcolm Koonce, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Chase Young—are also entering free agency and could serve as additional cornerstones for the Packers’ defensive line, potentially at more affordable rates than Sweat.
If the Packers prefer a more seasoned veteran, they might consider making a shorter-term investment in a 30-year-old player, such as Khalil Mack or DeMarcus Lawrence. According to Over the Cap, the Packers have approximately $46 million in available cap space for the 2025 season, providing them with a range of options for how they wish to proceed.
