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Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys linked to $76M Arizona Cardinals defensive star amid OTA absence.(Image via X)
The Arizona Cardinals’ popular linebacker Josh Sweat has sparked drama after he ended up missing the team’s OTAs in the last few days as it was reported that the Cardinals have been receiving trade calls for him.
Amid this, the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys have been linked to the star player.
| Category | Details |
| Player | Josh Sweat |
| Current Team | Arizona Cardinals |
| Rumored Teams | Green Bay Packers/Dallas Cowboys/Kansas City Chiefs |
| Contract Status | 3 Years Remaining (Entering Year 2 of a 4-year, $76.4 million free-agent contract signed in 2025) |
| Salary Cap Hit (New Team) | $10.88 Million |
| Trade Likelihood | High |
| Latest Insider Update | Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys have emerged as potential landing spots |
| Potential Return | Mid-Day Draft Pick (Projected 5th-Round Pick) due to his age (29) and long-term knee maintenance concerns |
Which teams are interested in Josh Sweat?
Over the last few days, as Josh Sweat decided to miss the Arizona Cardinals’ OTAs, he has been linked to the Green Bay Packers, the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs.
What insiders are saying about the trade rumors?
A few days ago, Sportsnaut’s Andrew Buller-Russ predicted that the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys could emerge as potential landing spots for Josh Sweat.Sportsnaut’s Andrew Buller-Russ noted in a recent report, “Josh Sweat has played for new Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, in Philadelphia and Arizona. He won a Super Bowl and became a Pro Bowler with the Eagles, and then signed a four-year, $76.5 million contract to follow Gannon to the Cardinals after the 2024 season ended. But now that Gannon has been let go in Arizona, Sweat has become unhappy.
It’s possible he has his eyes on following Gannon to Green Bay.”Sportsnaut’s Andrew Buller-Russ added, “The Dallas Cowboys are still hunting for an impact edge rusher who can help fans move on from the Micah Parsons trade. While the All-Pro cannot be replaced by one man, trading for a proven Pro Bowler would provide an immediate boost while buying more time for the likes of first-round rookie Malachi Lawrence and 2025 second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku.”
Contract details and salary cap implications
For the Arizona Cardinals, trading Josh Sweat after the June 1 window, helps them to clear up $10.88 million in immediate 2026 cap savings while the team would incur a $5.5 million dead cap hit.But the Arizona Cardinals would have to carry a $16.5 million "dead money" penalty on their 2027 budget because of bonuses that the team has already paid to Josh Sweat.For any team that trades for Josh Sweat, the team only has to pay him a $9.78 million salary for 2026 and are allowed to alter his contract without any penalties.
How the trade could impact the teams
Josh Sweat recorded 12 sacks in the last season so for the Arizona Cardinals, while the team does end up losing a star player, trading him will clear nearly $11 million allowing the team to sign remaining draft picks or pursue free agents.For the Green Bay Packers, pairing Josh Sweat with Rashan Gary could give them a competitive advantage in the new season.For the Dallas Cowboys, trading for Josh Sweat would instantly fix their pass-rush vacancy left by Micah Parsons as his salary will also be relatively affordable for the team.
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