Latest report should increase urgency for Packers to pursue bold trade before 2026 season and address major need
If that’s what it takes to acquire Josh Sweat from the Arizona Cardinals, general manager Brian Gutekunst has good reason to act.
Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) passes while being rushed by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Josh Sweat (10) during the second half at State Farm Stadium.
Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The Green Bay Packers invested a lot in the edge defender position over the past two offseasons, trading two first-round picks for Micah Parsons and exercising Lukas Van Ness’ fifth-year option. However, with Parsons expected to miss the first few games of the regular season, the position is still a need. That applies to a starter while Parsons is out, then to a more experienced, reliable rotational piece for the rest of the year.
Josh Sweat might not be that expensive after all
Arizona Cardinals edge defender Josh Sweat is a top offseason target for the Packers. He played under Jonathan Gannon on the Philadelphia Eagles and on the Cards, has a solid track record of production, and likely wants out of his current situation.
And, according to Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber, the cost of that trade might not be prohibitive.
“The trade compensation might not be much. One high-ranking executive told Packers On SI that a fifth-round pick might get it done because Sweat is 29 and expensive. While he’s been durable with only two missed games the past five seasons, the executive said Sweat is ‘on his last leg.’ When the Cardinals signed Sweat in 2025, an executive told The Athletic that the coaches would have to ‘manage’ his knee.” — Bill Huber
Combination of trade and contract cost
Josh Sweat is set to make $18.1 million in each of the next three years. However, the Cardinals have already paid $7.22 million of that as a roster bonus due on March 20. That means the Packers would absorb $10.88 million between base salary, per-game and workout bonuses in 2026.
The remaining $36.2 million for the final two years are not guaranteed. There are only $3 million in injury guarantees for 2027, and nothing beyond that.
If the Packers can execute the trade for a fifth-rounder, the friendly cost mitigates the risk involved in acquiring a 29-year-old player. That trade package plus his current salary is a reasonable investment, even if the Packers plan to keep Sweat for just one season.
The question is if the Cardinals will actually want to give up Sweat for just a fifth-round pick considering they’ve already paid his roster bonus. In large part, that will probably depend on how many teams are interested in the player, and how much these teams are willing to give up.
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