The Arizona Cardinals might be sitting on a powder keg, and edge rusher Josh Sweat is reportedly holding the match. After weeks of swirling speculation that the Green Bay Packers were eyeing the disgruntled pass-rusher, NFL insider Ian Rapoport threw cold water on that rumor Wednesday. But according to sources close to the situation, this doesn’t mean Sweat is staying put — it just means the drama is far from over.
What Really Happened With the Packers?
Rapoport’s report seemed to shut down the Packers as a landing spot, but insiders say the silence from Green Bay is deafening. One league source told us that the Packers’ front office is “absolutely still in the mix” for Sweat, despite public denials. “Sometimes you have to play the long game,” the source allegedly said. “Don’t believe everything you hear this early in the summer.”
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Dan Graziano dropped a bombshell of his own, listing Sweat as a prime trade candidate following blockbuster deals involving Myles Garrett and A.J. Brown. The message is clear: Sweat is on the market, and the Cardinals are reportedly bracing for impact.
The Numbers That Have Teams Drooling
Here’s where the drama gets even spicier. Sweat has been conspicuously absent from Arizona’s offseason program, with sources claiming he’s “not happy” and is making it known. Graziano wrote: “An acquiring team would take on a guaranteed $17 million in 2027 compensation for Sweat, and none of the remaining years or money on his contract is guaranteed after that. That’s a good deal for a player such as Sweat and should result in decent outside interest.”
And those numbers from 2025? They’re impossible to ignore. Sweat racked up 30 total tackles, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery — a stat line that has at least two teams reportedly circling like sharks.
Could the Patriots or Cowboys Be the Surprise Suitors?
Graziano specifically named the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys as clubs that “make a lot of sense” if Sweat becomes available. But here’s what nobody saw coming: insiders claim the Patriots are quietly preparing a massive trade package, and the Cowboys — fresh off yet another disappointing playoff exit — are allegedly desperate for a pass-rush upgrade.
“The Cardinals would take on about $22 million in dead money ($5.505 million this year, $16.515 million next year) if they dealt him,” Graziano added. “Which isn’t a ton in today’s market but means the acquiring team would probably have to make it worth their while with the compensation.”
Translation: Arizona wants a king’s ransom, but the cap hit is manageable enough for a team like Dallas or New England to swing a deal. Sources say the Cowboys have already made preliminary calls, and the Patriots are reportedly monitoring Sweat’s every move.
What’s Next? Buckle Up, Cardinals Fans
This situation is fluid and potentially explosive. If Sweat isn’t traded before training camp, one insider told us the tension could boil over. “He’s not going to just show up and play nice,” the source claimed. “Something has to give.”
With the trade deadline still months away, expect this saga to dominate headlines throughout the summer. Whether it’s the Patriots, Cowboys, or a dark horse team nobody is talking about, the Josh Sweat trade watch has officially begun — and it changes everything for the NFC.
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