Josh Sweat edge rusher Arizona Cardinals
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 05: Josh Sweat #10 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. The Titans defeated the Cardinals 22-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Green Bay Packers traded away last year’s #2 edge rusher and former first round pick Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fourth round pick in 2027. The team also had prime rotational rusher Kingsley Enagbare leave for the New York Jets, with whom he signed a one-year $10 million deal, earlier this week.
And it seems like Green Bay may decide to target another, veteran presence off the edge to replace their departed names, bringing in more proven experience in getting to the quarterback to what is broadly a younger, less proven group beyond All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons.
Packer Report’s Easton Butler reported on Thursday that Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat has asked for a trade this week, and that Green Bay are “interested” in acquiring his services.
However, according to Butler, they may also find competition stemming from Sweat’s former employers, the Philadelphia Eagles, who are reportedly keen on bringing back the 28-year old back to the North East.
Easton Butler
Cardinals EDGE Josh Sweat has requested a trade this week, per a source. The Packers and Eagles are both reportedly interested in him. Philly is trying to find another star on the DL, after losing Phillips to Carolina.
“Cardinals EDGE Josh Sweat has requested a trade this week, per a source. The Packers and Eagles are both reportedly interested in him. Philly is trying to find another star on the DL, after losing Phillips to Carolina.” Butler wrote on X.
Packers Could Benefit From More Experience at Edge Rusher
The Packers have players like 2023 13th overall pick Lukas Van Ness and second year pros Collin Oliver and Barryn Sorrell, alongside former UDFA Brenton Cox Jr. who recently signed a one-year extension with the organization.
But none of them act as a true secondary 1-2 punch to compliment Parsons. Van Ness is surely the closest to being so after starting to show signs of improvement late last year, garnering a very impressive 75.5 grade from Pro Football Focus on the season, but his production is still lacking, with him having only 1.5 sacks to show for himself in 2025.
Sweat on the other hand has two double-digit sack seasons in the past four year, with him surpassing his career best in 2025 with 12.
What Would it Take to Trade for Josh Sweat?
Sweat’s four year contract signed last offseason means he is set to earn $18.1 million in each year from 2026-2028 – a pretty reasonable deal for any new franchise taking on his contract.
Another strong season could also see the Super Bowl champion look to renegotiate in hopes of a pay bump á la Jonathan Greenard.
The former fourth round pick turns 29 later this month, and after 8 seasons in the NFL it is not clear exactly how much is left in the tank, even if he was often under-utilized early on in his career.
Something in the mid third- early fourth round draft pick would most likely be the sweet spot for a player of Sweat’s capabilities. But if another team gets aggressive in their pursuit of pass rushing success, the price might end up going as high as a late second rounder.