When Zaven Collins introduced himself to Josh Sweat, the pair instantly shared a bond over fishing. Yet when speaking with the media, Sweat shared a confession, followed by one of his trademark laughs.
"I didn't even know y'all had water out here," Sweat said.
Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort put on his fisherman's hat, dropped a line in the free agency pond, and caught the biggest fish of the offseason in Sweat. The outside linebacker inked a four-year deal, reportedly worth $76 million.
It's no secret that Sweat is one of many additions in the defensive overhaul curated by Ossenfort. Third-rounder Jordan Burch joins him in the outside linebacker room, while Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson, and first-rounder Walter Nolen III highlight the new faces on the defensive front. Will Johnson at cornerback and inside linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither are other defensive players set to see snaps come September.
The quiet Sweat isn't going to be the "rah-rah" leader. Budda Baker can keep that role. But the outside linebacker recognizes there's plenty of noise surrounding his arrival as the new centerpiece of the defense.
"I embrace it too," Sweat said. "At the end of the day, everybody should be a leader, but I just want to help change whatever I can to make it better."
If his game play resembles what Sweat did in the Eagles' Super Bowl victory -- sacking Patrick Mahomes 2.5 times with six tackles -- he'll help a unit ranked in the bottom 10 in pressure rate and total pressures.
Images from the Arizona Cardinals' 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33), Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) and Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (31) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat (10) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (4) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Hayden Conner (58) , Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman McClendon Curtis (66) , Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Valentin Senn (69) , Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Jake Curhan (64) and Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Jeremiah Byers (67) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) and Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Oscar Cardenas (45) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Sincere Haynesworth (61) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Elijah Higgins (84) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt (72) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer (83) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Owen Pappoe (44) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland (38) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Tip Reiman (87) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andre Baccellia (82) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter (22) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune (15) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt (72) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (4) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum (68) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Owen Pappoe (44) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Sincere Haynesworth (61) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals wide receivers during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mykal Walker (43) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Josiah Deguara (47) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Darren Hall (30) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell (93) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Baron Browning (5) , Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat (10) , Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins (25) and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Xavier Thomas (54) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Dragonfly and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter (22) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Travis Vokolek (81) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Darren Hall (30) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Elijah Higgins (84) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Jake Curhan (64) and Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Royce Newman (71) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) , Arizona Cardinals cornerback Denzel Burke (29) , Arizona Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams (21) , Arizona Cardinals safety Dadrion "Rabbit" Taylor-Demerson (42) and Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (31) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andre Baccellia (82) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jaden Davis (39) and Arizona Cardinals safety Joey Blount (32) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Travis Vokolek (81) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter (22) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Elijah Higgins (84) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat (10) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27), Arizona Cardinals linebacker Vi Jones (53), Arizona Cardinals linebacker J.J. Russell (51), Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2), Arizona Cardinals Linebackers Coach Cristian Garcia, Arizona Cardinals linebacker Owen Pappoe (44) and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mykal Walker (43) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Joey Blount (32), Arizona Cardinals cornerback Darren Hall (30) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Elijah Jones (28) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) and Arizona Cardinals Tight Ends Coach Ben Steele during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson (56) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei'Trel Clark (13) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Elijah Jones (28) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during 2025 Minicamp at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Jonathan Gannon and Nick Rallis' familiarity with Sweat from their time in Philadelphia was instrumental in reuniting in the desert. Sweat had his best seasons with Gannon as his defensive coordinator, compiling 18.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss with Pro Bowl honors during their two seasons together.
"There's some differences than what we did when I was with him to what we do now, but he picked it up quick and hopefully it's for the betterment of him too," Gannon said. "I know he can impact the game, which is one of the reasons we signed him."
Upon his arrival in Philadelphia in 2021, Rallis was instantly impressed with Sweat's motor in the run game. "Holy cow, this guy can set an edge," he said of Sweat. In Rallis' scheme, outside linebackers aren't solely used to blitz the quarterback. They'll drop back into coverage and are also tasked with stopping the run, an area the team struggled in last season, finishing 20th in that category.
Only a few days into mandatory minicamp, it's still a bit too early to sense the changes Gannon alluded towards. Nonetheless, with Gannon and Rallis back on the headset, Sweat is comfortable once again.
Now, they're looking for their big catch of the offseason to catch the quarterback, just as the scheme allowed him to shine during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
"It was a certain element of freedom," Sweat said. "The scheme, you can play fast, so picking it up was pretty easy. It's not going to take me long at all. It's the same thing."
