The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a bit of a conundrum with their edge rushers as they gear up for a pivotal 2026 season. While there's undeniable potential in the room, the certainty is somewhat lacking.
Rashan Gary leads the pack, but his performance last season was a rollercoaster, with no sacks recorded after Week 9. Despite his talent, Gary has yet to break the 9.5-sack ceiling in any season.
Behind Gary, the Cowboys have a couple of young guns, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Malachi Lawrence, who are still largely unproven at the NFL level. Sam Williams, on the other hand, is looking to rebound after a less-than-stellar season following a major injury. So, what’s the move for Dallas if they want to solidify their pass rush?
Enter the Arizona Cardinals' Josh Sweat, a name that's buzzing around the trade rumor mill. Logan Ulrich of NFL Trade Rumors points to the Cowboys as a potential landing spot for Sweat, largely because of the connection between Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker and Sweat from their days with the Philadelphia Eagles. Parker's familiarity with Sweat's skill set could make this a match made in defensive heaven.
There's a sense that Parker has significant influence over roster decisions in Dallas. He was instrumental in the team's decision to draft safety Caleb Downs after a trade up, and if Parker has his sights set on Sweat, it’s likely the Cowboys' front office will listen.
Now, why would Sweat want out of Arizona? Cardinals insider Kyle Odegard has hinted at some discontent on Sweat's part, possibly due to the team's current trajectory or contract issues. Despite attending mandatory minicamp, Sweat's lack of participation signals a potential "hold in," suggesting he might be angling for a move or a new deal.
Sweat's credentials are impressive. With eight or more sacks in three of the last four seasons, including a career-high 12 in 2026, he's a proven commodity. Add to that his Super Bowl ring and nine playoff appearances, and you've got a veteran who knows how to perform under pressure.
For the Cowboys, snagging Sweat would be a strategic move to bolster their defense. However, with only $5.4 million in cap space, fitting him in financially would require some savvy maneuvering. A trade could involve a Day 2 draft pick, though perhaps including one of Dallas's current edge rushers might sweeten the deal and lower the price.
In a season where the Cowboys are looking to make waves, adding a player of Sweat's caliber could be just the edge they need.
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One of the trickier calls sits behind the starting quarterback, where Dallas may end up carrying three passers but still has to sort out a backup pecking order. The same uncertainty runs through the rest of the roster, with a few players who logged real snaps last season suddenly looking vulnerable and others, including rookies like Jaishawn Barham and LT Overton, offering the kind of long-term promise that can make these early projections feel more like a warning than a prediction. [Read more 🡒]
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A big part of that perception comes from how the defense has been upgraded and how the staff has been shaped, including Brian Schottenheimers choice to bring in Christian Parker to run the unit. There is also a sense that the front office has handled the business side more cleanly, from the George Pickens situation to contract decisions that no longer seem to linger as distractions, which is why some evaluators are now discussing Dallas in a way fans have not been used to hearing. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Already Took A Hit Where This Roster Could Least Afford It
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That is why the early look at a rookie edge rusher such as Malachi Lawrence matters so much to this team. Dallas needs pass rush juice to show up quickly, and it needs it from players who can fit into a system built around patience, discipline and pressure from the front four. If that kind of help is going to come, it has to come soon, because the roster does not have many obvious places left to absorb another hit. [Read more 🡒]