Turmoil within the Arizona Cardinals is setting up a potential opportunity for the Chicago Bears that’s at least worth considering
The Arizona Cardinals kicked off organized team activities without two notable players, QB Jacoby Brissett and DE Josh Sweat, setting up a potential opportunity for the Chicago Bears to think about.
The Arizona Cardinals kicked off organized team activities earlier this week to begin the Mike LaFleur Era and two players were noticeably absent from practice, setting up a situation the Chicago Bears should start monitoring.
The first absence of note was with veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who started 12 games for the Cardinals last season. After parting ways with former #1 overall pick Kyler Murray this offseason, Brissett was expected to be the team’s stop-gap starter for 2026. However, he’s only due scheduled to earn $4.88 million in 2026 and rightfully wants more.
It’s worth noting that the Cardinals also signed veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew this offseason and drafted Carson Beck in the third-round. Brissett has every right to want more from the team if they actually view him as their potential starter.
The other notable absence was pass rusher Josh Sweat. Sweat is reportedly unhappy with the team and has been since former head coach Jonathan Gannon was fired earlier in the offseason. If the Sweat situation continues to escalate, the Bears could find themselves with an opportunity to finally upgrade their pass rush.
Chicago Bears need to start monitoring the situations in Arizona and consider potential offers
Sweat would be an immediate impact starter for this defense playing opposite another edge rusher sharing the same last name in Montez Sweat. While the Bears expect big things out of Austin Booker in Year 3 and want to see what Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner can show coming off season-ending injuries, it’s a risky game to play for a team with Super Bowl hopes.
If Chicago’s season is derailed because of poor pass rush, it’s immediately going to come back on general manager Ryan Poles and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who believe the team is set with the players they have and simply needed better coaching.
If the Bears get into OTAs and feel any concerns lingering about the pass rush, the Bears should consider a potential offer to land Sweat or consider signing a veteran off the market such as Cam Jordan or Von Miller. When it comes to Sweat, the Bears could even revisit Arizona’s interest in backup quarterback Tyson Bagent if the issues with Brissett continue, which would allow the Cardinals to have two young quarterbacks to evaluate.
Landing Bagent would sweeten the deal for the Cardinals and could allow the Bears to acquire Sweat with other potential teams lurking in the water for the 29-year-old pass rusher. The Bears could easily roll into the season with Caleb Williams and Case Keenum while stashing Miller Moss on the practice squad and giving Bagent an opportunity to start with another team.
It’s a long-shot with a lot of moving parts and building situations, but it’s a door the Bears should, at the very least, keep open.