Jayden Reed wide receiver Green Bay Packers
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DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 14: Jayden Reed #11 of the Green Bay Packers catches a pass for first down during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on December 14, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Green Bay Packers have been selective with their free agency additions this offseason, bringing in cornerback Benjamin St. Juste along with former division rival with the Minnesota Vikings Javon Hargrave, and return specialist Skyy Moore.
However after the departures of Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare through trade and free agency respectively, the edge rusher group is certainly looking a bit thinner than the team would otherwise want beyond All-Pro Micah Parsons.
So it is not shocking that rumors have already surfaced claiming that the Packers are “interested” in Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Josh Sweat.
However, given that Green Bay is not exactly blessed with draft capital in 2026, having given up their first rounders in 2026 and 2027 in the trade that had them acquire Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys, it stands that general manager Brian Gutekunst may well be wary of moving any and all draft picks. Especially for a franchise that is notorious for its draft-and-develop approach.
So, a proposal coming from Cheesehead TV and The Packers Wire’s Mark Oldacres suggests that Green Bay could consider moving receiver Jayden Reed in return for Sweat, citing the Cardinals’ need in the slot and the Packers’ desire to bolster the pass rush.
Mark Oldacres
Cardinals don’t have a natural slot receiver after Greg Dortch hit free agency.
Josh Sweat for Jayden Reed, who says no?
“Cardinals don’t have a natural slot receiver after Greg Dortch hit free agency. Josh Sweat for Jayden Reed, who says no?” Oldacres wrote on X on Thursday.
Why Would the Packers Trade Jayden Reed?
It has been posited by some of the Packers media that the team could quietly look to move off of Reed this offseason.
The former second round pick has been productive when on the field, but with imminent extensions likely for wideout Christian Watson and tight end Tucker Kraft, it could be difficult to justify also handing one to Reed, especially given the presence of 2025 first round pick Matthew Golden, who is expected to have more substantial role in 2026.
The Packers also have players like Evan Williams, Javon Bullard and Edgerrin Cooper to consider – all of whom are playing at a Pro Bowl level, even if none have made one – who will be up for a contract renewal at the end of this season.
So signing Reed to a long term deal could be complicated and financially unfeasible.
Josh Sweat Would Boost the Packers’ Edge Rushing Corps
Sweat, on the other hand has three years remaining on his deal – which could easily become two with an early release – and would provide Green Bay with some short-medium term help on the edge as the team look to capitalize on their Super Bowl window.
The 28-year old had 12 sacks last season, and has managed a total of 37.5 over the past four years.
In a defense that will be focused on stopping the likes of Parsons, having a top-of-the-range secondary edge rusher like Sweat could be even more beneficial. Sweat would face fewer double teams and have less specific defensive focus directed on him, allowing him to roam free one-on-one for much of the season, Parsons’ health permitting.
And for the price of a receiver who is out of contract at the end of the year, it could make a lot of sense for GB – even if they have to throw in another day 3 pick in 2027 as a sweetener.