Bears should be feeling the heat as a post-June 1 trade for the disgruntled pass rusher is starting to look more likely than ever
The Arizona Cardinals just got even more incentive to trade disgruntled pass rusher Josh Sweat after June 1 and the Chicago Bears should be feeling the heat to make a deal before another NFC North rival.
Time is ticking on a potential trade for Arizona Cardinals disgruntled pass rusher Josh Sweat and the Chicago Bears need to stop dragging their feet about the idea of adding a defensive end before it’s too late.
Throughout the offseason, the Bears have been linked to numerous top defensive ends including Maxx Crosby, Von Miller, Cam Jordan, and multiple prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Ultimately, no addition has been made, but the team’s recent workout with former Buffalo Bills pass rusher A.J. Epenesa proves the team is still considering options.
In the meantime, the Bears were severely lacking at the position during the first week of OTAs with Montez Sweat absent from practice while Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner were rehabbing from injuries suffered during the 2025 season.
The time is now for the Bears to consider a different plan and after today, the Cardinals will be more willing to discuss a deal involving Sweat.
Post June 1 benefits makes a Josh Sweat trade more likely for the Chicago Bears
Prior to June 1, a trade involving Josh Sweat would have forced the Cardinals to eat $22,020,000 in dead cap with only $5,635,000 in cap savings. A post June 1 trade would change things with the Cardinals only having to eat $5,505,000 in dead cap with $10,880,000 in cap savings.
The one thing that could hold Arizona back is the fact that the team already paid $7.22 million as a roster bonus that was due on March 20. However, that shouldn’t have to hold up a deal if a team offers the right deal to Arizona. If that’s the case, the acquiring team would only absorb $10.88 million between base salary, per-game and workout bonuses in 2026.
Chicago currently has just over $11 million in cap space, however the team still needs to finish signing the 2026 rookie class and have leftover space for in-season spending. So, to acquire Sweat, the Bears would have to free up more space first. If the Bears are serious about adding him, that shouldn’t be a concern but the Bears would need to act fast.
Other teams are circling the waters on a Josh Sweat trade, potentially including the Green Bay Packers
Multiple teams around the league have reached out to the Cardinals regarding the 29-year-old pass rusher, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Schultz mentioned that Sweat had a close relationship with former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, who is now the current defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.
Watching Sweat land in Green Bay opposite Micah Parsons would be nightmare fuel for Bears fans, especially if the team continues dragging their feet in landing a top edge rusher going into the 2026 season.
The cost of the deal isn’t expected to be much either to potentially land Sweat. Time is ticking and the Bears could risk missing out on landing a real difference-maker, and might even watch their top rival make the move instead.