Latest Josh Sweat trade rumor highlights high-stakes battle that could shape the NFC outlook and alter Super Bowl race in 2026
Edge defender potentially wants out of the Arizona Cardinals, while Packers and Eagles are the strongest competitors to acquire him.
The NFC race is becoming more intriguing by the day. Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Rams acquired Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns. Now, the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles are competing to possibly trade for Josh Sweat from the Arizona Cardinals.
NFL analyst Ollie Connolly, who reported the Jonathan Greenard trade was in the works ahead of the draft, said on the “Read Optional” podcast that he expects the Packers to acquire Sweat this week, but the Eagles are in the conversations as well.
“We’re seeing a real stratification between the teams that are super aggressive and the teams that are taking a more traditional development path. The Packers are more in that traditional bucket. They obviously went all in with Parsons last offseason.
“I think the Packers are going to make a trade [on Tuesday or Wednesday] for a player we had a little chat about very late in the show last time around, one of the beloveds of this show. He’s on the market, and he’s going to go. It’s either going to be Philly or it’s going to be the Packers. It’s probably happening at some point.
“I think Josh Sweat is dealt to one of those two teams, the Packers or the Eagles. I think it’s going to be the Packers. That’s my inclination. I’m not sure, but I think that’s going to happen. You’re really seeing this recognition of windows that you always talk about, where we get more of that NBA mindset.” — Ollie Connolly
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, though, reported that Sweat is not getting traded.
Why the Packers and Eagles make sense for Sweat
Green Bay and Philly are the two most obvious spots for Josh Sweat if he gets out of Arizona. He played seven seasons on the Eagles, reaching two Super Bowls and winning one. As far as the Packers, Sweat has a strong connection with defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
Gannon was Sweat’s DC in Philly for two years, and his head coach last season with the Cardinals. The two most productive seasons sack-wise for Sweat happened under Gannon. The Eagles were reportedly interested in Myles Garrett, while the Packers need more depth considering Micah Parsons is expected to miss the first few games of the regular season.
Contract ramifications
The financial structure of the deal is favorable for the Packers or Eagles, whichever ultimately acquired Sweat. Arizona already paid $7.22 million in a roster bonus due on March 20, which means Green Bay or Philly would absorb only $10.88 million in base salary, per-game bonuses, and workout bonuses for 2026.
Sweat is slated to make $18.1 million in each of the following two seasons, but that money is not guaranteed beyond $3 million in injury guarantees for 2027. That makes this essentially a one-year rental with two team options, giving the acquiring team flexibility to evaluate Sweat’s fit before committing long-term.
NFC race
The Rams are now considered the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Nevertheless, adding Josh Sweat to these defenses could put the Packers or Eagles in the same ballpark to compete for a championship — or at least closer to it.
On one hand, that’s exciting for these teams. On the other, it’s an empowering proposition for the Cardinals, and it could ultimately drive up the price of a potential deal.