Trade buzz around Josh Sweat has been easy to find, but the latest word out of Arizona points in the opposite direction.
Sweat, who was recently activated off the PUP list after dealing with a knee injury, traveled with the Cardinals to Green Bay, with the Packers sitting right in the middle of the speculation. Even so, the message from inside the league has been consistent: Arizona is not moving him right now.
Adam Schefter addressed the chatter on ESPN Milwaukee and made the stance sound pretty clear.
"I try to deal in facts and realities. All I can tell you is I know there have been teams that have reached out to them [Arizona] and I know they've been told they're not trading him.
Now, could they change their stance down the line? Sure, but there have been teams that recently have reached out and they've told those teams, 'We are not trading him.'"
Schefter wasn’t the first national voice to shut down the Packers angle. Ian Rapoport had already pushed back on the rumor earlier in the offseason, writing on X:
"This has gained some steam on social media, so just to provide some clarity: #AZCardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat is not being traded. Not to the #Packers or anywhere. Carry on…"
That lines up with what Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort said earlier in camp, and it also matches head coach Mike LaFleur’s comments at minicamp while Sweat was not practicing.
"The situation is he hasn't practiced. I'm not going to put a guy out on the field that hasn't been out there to prep."
The trade noise has lingered for a reason. Sweat reportedly requested a trade after the Cardinals fired Jonathan Gannon to open the offseason, and the situation never fully quieted down through voluntary OTAs, minicamp and training camp.
There’s also the football side of this. Sweat posted his two best statistical seasons under Gannon, who is believed to have played a major role in bringing him to Arizona in free agency. With Gannon gone and expectations low around the team, some around the league have wondered whether the pass rusher is still happy.
On the field, Sweat is clearly one of Arizona’s most important defenders. He led the Cardinals with 12 sacks last season, while every other rostered outside linebacker combined for just 5.5. His pass rush win-rate also ranked near the top of the league.
That makes the Cardinals’ position easier to understand. With Monti Ossenfort’s job potentially on the line this season, Arizona has little reason to part with one of its best players before the 2026 season even begins.
For now, the talk is just talk. Sweat may remain a name to monitor later, but at this moment, he’s staying put.
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