Josh Sweat explains mindset and new number after roller-coaster offseason originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
During a roller-coaster offseason filled with questions about his future and swirling trade speculation Josh Sweat decided to change his jersey number from 94 to 19.
But it wasn’t all that deep.
“Shoot, I just needed a change, man,” Sweat said. “Just like when I cut my hair. I just wanted something new.”
Sweat said he didn’t have a problem with the No. 94 he wore the last five years in the NFL but he feels fresh in 19. He had some other choices first but 15 is retired and 9 (the number he wore in high school and college) is quasi-retired — so he ended up with 19.
Sweat might have a new number this year. But his mindset hasn’t changed.
Not even after he agreed to a restructured deal this offseason, one that will leave him as a free agent at the end of 2024.
“I let my agent handle that with those guys. I just want to play,” Sweat said. “I didn’t even really think about it in the offseason. I just approached it in the offseason just to get better. I really didn’t think about it. Let’s get it right so I can come back and play and focus on what I need to focus on.”
Before the restructured contract, the Eagles made it clear that both Sweat and Haason Reddick were available on the trade market after a season that ended in bitter disappointment.
Eventually, Sweat’s deal was restructured and Reddick was the one shipped to the Jets.
But even as all that was going on, Sweat just tried to focus on his offseason program.
“Like I said, I didn’t even think about it,” he said. “Because I can’t control that. Trade or not. I just went to work how I know. I didn’t think about it at all.”
As he enters Year 7 in the NFL, Sweat has been a Pro Bowler, he’s been a double-digit sack guy and he’s accomplished a lot in his career. But last season didn’t end on a good note.
Through nine games last season, Sweat was second on the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-sweat-explains-mindset-number-110000617.html
Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia
Publish date : 2024-07-30 11:00:00
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