New NFL Trade Rumors on Cardinals' Josh Sweat Amid Packers Buzz Ahead of 2026 Season

The Arizona Cardinals are reportedly not looking to trade star pass-rusher Josh Sweat, but that doesn't necessarily mean it won't happen at some point during the 2026 NFL regular season.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, the Cardinals have told inquiring teams that they are not interested in trading Sweat, whom they have already paid a $7.22 million option bonus for this season.

Despite that, Graziano believes the Cards will continue to get calls on Sweat, and if they fall out of playoff contention prior to the Nov. 10 trade deadline, he could see Sweat's availability potentially changing.

Unsubstantiated rumors linked Sweat to the Green Bay Packers throughout the offseason, but Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters Tuesday that "somebody's making stuff up."

The 29-year-old Sweat is preparing to enter his second season as a member of the Cardinals after signing a four-year, $76.4 million deal with Arizona in free agency in 2025.

Sweat's first season with the Cards was a great one individually, as he set a new career high with 12 sacks, while also recording 30 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles.

Despite that, the Cardinals did not thrive as a team, tying for the worst record in the NFL at 3-14.

Sweat is used to far more overall team success, as he reached the playoffs six times over his seven seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

That included a Super Bowl win in 2024, during which Sweat sacked Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes 2.5 times in Philly's 40-22 victory.

For his career, Sweat is a one-time Pro Bowler with 55 regular-season sacks and another five playoff sacks, making him a desirable target for contending teams in need of a pass-rush boost.

Per Graziano, Sweat is not due any guaranteed money beyond this year, and if a team were to trade for him midway through the 2026 season, they would only have to pay him about $5 million.

Given his history of production and reasonable contract, it is easy to envision the proverbial vultures circling the Cardinals and trying to pry Sweat away from them should they get off to a poor start this season.