Still time for a big Cowboys move? Why Dallas has a realistic shot at making bold proposed trade happen
The Dallas Cowboys like to say team-building is a 365 day a year process. Very soon, they may just get a chance to make a big-name trade happen.
The Dallas Cowboys’ team-building process is pretty much done ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The key being “pretty much.”
Though the Cowboys aren’t known for being aggressive, they don’t shy away from making moves after the NFL Draft. And one writer proposed a trade that would actually make sense for Dallas. And there’s a reason why it could happen relatively soon.
Trade named ‘the one move’ Cowboys should make
In a recent article for Bleacher Report, Kristopher Knox listed the “one move” each NFL team should make at this stage of the offseason. For the Cowboys, he listed a trade for an edge rusher. And I don’t hate it one bit.
“They should make one more move to solidify the group and make a play for Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat,” Knox wrote. “Sweat isn’t necessarily on the trade block. However, he was absent at the start of OTAs, and, according to Cardinals insider Kyle Odegard, is ‘not particularly happy’ in Arizona.
Cowboys fans should be very familiar with Sweat. In seven years with the Philadelphia Eagles, Sweat proved he’s a reliable pass rusher. From 2020 to 2024, he averaged 8 sacks and 17 QB hits per season, according to Pro Football Reference. He’s also very solid against the run.
He’s still doing it, too. Last season, with the Arizona Cardinals, he recorded a career high 12 sacks.
Why it may just be a viable trade
The only real problem I see with the proposal is a simple question: Why would the Cardinals move on? They already have a weak roster and losing Sweat would cost them one of their most valuable players.
Yet, Sweat (healthy) was absent from the Cardinals’ OTAs last week. When Jonathan Gannon was fired, he requested a trade according to Arizona insider Johnny Venerables.
Even if rumors are true and Sweat isn’t a fan of his current situation, it’s tough to envision a move taking place based on financials. He signed a four-year contract worth $76 million only last year.
Sweat can’t be traded right now but…
If traded today, the Cardinals would be saving nothing in salary cap terms. In fact, they would be taking on an additional $5.6 million cap hit, via Over the Cap. However, if they trade him post June 1, they would free up $10.9 million in cap savings.
If the situation gets bad enough, maybe a deal could happen. But the only reason moving on from Sweat makes sense is if the Cardinals embrace tanking season. They are tied with the Miami Dolphins for the worst win total projection at 4.5.
What is clear is, if they’re open to it, the Cowboys should try to make a deal. Sweat would raise the floor of the defense as first-round pick Malachi Lawrence develops.