The Green Bay Packers have been frequently mentioned as a potential destination for Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat. This speculation arises following Green Bay's offseason hiring of Jonathan Gannon, who previously coached Sweat on two different teams. While the Cardinals have consistently stated their intention not to trade Sweat, an unfavorable 1-4 start to their season could prompt a change in that position, according to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report.
Knox's analysis suggests that Sweat’s current contract makes him a candidate for release after the conclusion of the current season. Should the Cardinals perceive this year as a lost season, they might re-engage in trade discussions. Knox noted, “The 29-year-old is signed through 2028 but looms as a potential 2027 cap casualty.” He further elaborated that releasing Sweat with a post-June 1 designation in the spring could save the Cardinals approximately $18.1 million in cap space. However, Knox posited that it might be a more strategic move for the Cardinals to trade Sweat, who recorded 12 sacks last season, well in advance of the 2027 season.
Sweat's professional career has a notable connection to Coach Gannon. Sweat was a fourth-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2018 NFL Draft. His rookie season saw limited playing time, but he demonstrated increasing productivity in subsequent years, achieving four sacks in his second NFL season and six sacks the following year. Gannon then joined the Eagles as their defensive coordinator in 2021. Under Gannon's guidance, Sweat experienced a career resurgence, making his first Pro Bowl appearance and recording 7.5 sacks that season. He continued his strong performance in 2022 with 11 sacks.
In 2023, Gannon transitioned to become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, and Sweat subsequently joined him, once again posting 12 sacks. However, Gannon was reportedly fired a year into his new contract. As a result, Sweat is now playing within a defensive scheme that is not described as an ideal fit for him, and for a team he reportedly did not anticipate playing for.
From a financial standpoint, Sweat carries significant cap hits of $23 million for each of the next two years. The team's control over his contract is expected to enable the Cardinals to secure a substantial return in a trade. If the Cardinals receive a strong trade offer for Sweat, they are likely to move on from him.
The Green Bay Packers' defense has been identified as the stronger of the two units through the initial five weeks of the season. Despite this, the unit is currently grappling with injury challenges. Edgerrin Cooper and Javon Hargrave, two key players, sustained season-ending Achilles injuries in consecutive weeks. The team is reportedly prepared to implement a "next-man-up strategy" to address these losses.
While the Packers anticipate the return of Micah Parsons to one edge position, other edge rushers on the team have not yet fully stepped into prominent roles. Barryn Sorrell, for example, has played 156 snaps but has generated only six pressures. Brenton Cox has recorded 15 pressures, but has consistently been viewed as a depth option rather than a primary starter. Lukas Van Ness has shown improvement, taking a step forward in his performance. The potential addition of Sweat could significantly bolster the Packers' defensive line, creating a powerful trio of edge rushers and potentially easing Parsons' reintegration into the lineup.
The rumors suggest that Green Bay is actively considering Sweat, with the Cardinals' current losing streak creating an opening for trade discussions that were previously dismissed. The combination of Sweat's contract situation, his proven ability under Coach Gannon, and the Packers' specific defensive needs due to injuries aligns to create a compelling scenario for a potential acquisition.
