Josh Sweat
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Could Josh Sweat be the game-changing acquisition for the Chicago Bears? We break down what a potential trade could look like.
The splash move many fans expected the Chicago Bears to make this offseason never really came. At least, not yet.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles admitted that the team explored a blockbuster trade for All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby, but those talks never gained much traction. Now, with a new report suggesting that Arizona Cardinals edge Josh Sweat might be available via trade, the Bears might just have a more realistic opportunity to upgrade their defense.
On the March 9 episode of the PHNX Sports Cardinals podcast, co-host Johnny Venerable dropped the following little nugget:
“I think that Josh Sweat will get traded,” Venerable said, via Chris Franklin of NJ.com. “I’ll break some news right now. When (former Cardinals head coach) Jonathan Gannon got fired, Josh Sweat asked to be traded. … Maybe he’s cool with (Cardinals defensive coordinator) Nick Rallis so it’s fine now. I don’t know. But he asked to get traded.”
Some Background on Why Sweat Might Be a Good Fit in the Windy City
Cardinals pass rusher Josh Sweat meets the media.
GettyArizona Cardinals edge Josh Sweat is reported to have requested a trade. Should the Chicago Bears pursue him?
Sweat, 28, has quietly been one of the NFL’s more productive edge rushers over the past several seasons. A former fourth-round pick out of Florida State, his most recent season may have been his best.
In 2025, Sweat finished with 30 tackles (13 for loss), a career-high 12.o sacks and four forced fumbles across 17 games, ranking among the league leaders in strip-sacks. His 12 sacks tied for eighth in the NFL, and his four forced fumbles tied for second.
Fiscally speaking, Sweat would not be an unreasonable addition for Chicago. He signed a four-year, $76.4 million deal in 2025 that included $41 million in guaranteed money. His average salary sits at roughly $19.1 million per year, and in 2026 he is scheduled to earn a base salary of about $9.78 million, with a cap hit of roughly $16.4 million. For a productive edge rusher in his prime, that’s a borderline bargain.
Jacob Infante
I’d love for the #Bears to pursue Josh Sweat in a trade if the opportunity comes up.
He had 12 sacks in 2025, and he signed with the Cardinals to be with Jonathan Gannon, who’s not there anymore. With Arizona rebuilding, it could make sense for them to deal him to Chicago.
Why the Chicago Bears Should Try to Trade for Arizona Cardinals Edge Josh Sweat
Sweat’s contract structure could make him especially appealing for Poles. The Bears have prioritized financial flexibility this offseason, and Sweat’s deal still has multiple years remaining, so Chicago wouldn’t be trading for a one-year rental.
The Bears need to bulk up their pass rush, as Dennis Allen’s defense depends heavily on pressure off the edge. Allen has historically preferred attacking four-man fronts that rely on defensive ends winning one-on-one matchups, and pairing Josh Sweat with Montez Sweat — no relation, but the slogans and T-shirts practically write themselves — would give Chicago quite the duo for opposing QBs to contend with.
At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, he has the length to set the edge against the run, and he’s proven he’s capable of consistently harassing quarterbacks. Since becoming a regular starter in 2021, Sweat has recorded at least 6.5 sacks every season.
A trade for Sweat would likely cost the Bears at least a Day-2 draft pick, maybe more. But after keeping a relatively low profile throughout free agency so far, bringing him to Chicago could provide dividends to a defense sorely in need of difference-makers.