Josh Sweat draws trade interest as Cardinals seek deadline moves

Josh Sweat, the Arizona Cardinals pass rusher, is attracting trade inquiries from multiple NFL teams as the November 10 deadline approaches.

Arizona currently holds the last place standing in the NFC West with a 2-5 record entering Week 8. The team has already moved veteran assets this season, trading wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans. Sweat is now viewed as a potential candidate for a similar move, with reports indicating the front office is open to receiving future draft capital in exchange for his services.

The 29-year-old signed a four-year contract worth $76.4 million with the Cardinals in 2025. Although his deal runs through 2028, he has no guaranteed salary remaining after the 2026 campaign, according to Over The Cap. Prior to joining Arizona, Sweat spent seven seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Florida State. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 and contributed to the Eagles' victory in Super Bowl LIX, recording 2.5 sacks in the final game against Kansas City.

Sweat set a career high with 12 sacks and 17 quarterback hits during the 2025 season. Through seven games in the current campaign, he has two sacks, four quarterback hits, and three tackles for loss. His status with the Cardinals has been uncertain since last offseason, when he reportedly requested a trade following the firing of head coach Jonathan Gannon. The front office denied that request at the time, but the team's current standing has renewed speculation about his future.

The Dallas Cowboys are among the teams reportedly interested in acquiring Sweat. Owner Jerry Jones has been active in strengthening his defense, recently trading for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dallas allows 373.7 total yards per game and 145.7 rushing yards per game, placing them near the bottom of the league. The defense also ranks last in opponent third-down conversion rate at 52% and has recorded only four takeaways. The Cowboys are tied for the fourth-fewest sacks in the league.

The Green Bay Packers represent another potential destination, primarily due to the presence of defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who previously coached Sweat in Philadelphia. Green Bay currently features edge rusher Lukas Van Ness and expects to have Micah Parsons back in the near future. The team holds a 7.2% sack rate, which ranks in the top 10 of the NFL, and a 36.1% pressure rate that is average. A reunion with Gannon could appeal to both parties as the Packers look to bolster their front seven.

The Buffalo Bills also appear in the mix, seeking to improve a defense that struggles to contain opposing offenses. Buffalo sits atop the AFC East at 5-1, led by quarterback Josh Allen, who leads the NFL with 17 total touchdowns. However, the Bills defense ranks 30th in points allowed per game at 28.5 and last in points allowed per drive at 2.76. The unit is 20th in pressure rate and 27th in sack rate. Adding a pass rusher with double-digit sack potential could address these deficiencies as the playoff push begins.

Teams are expected to continue evaluating their rosters through the next week. The Cardinals will likely assess the volume and quality of offers before making a final decision on whether to trade Sweat or hold him for the 2027 season.