The Green Bay Packers’ interest in Josh Sweat may not be fading anytime soon, even with Micah Parsons expected back from injury. If anything, the case for another proven edge rusher still looks strong, and Sweat remains the name that keeps popping up.
That’s because the fit is easy to see. Sweat has already played under Jonathan Gannon in both Arizona and Philadelphia, so there’s no learning curve if Green Bay ever decides to make a real push. For a defense that could still use more pressure off the edge, that familiarity matters.
The Cardinals, though, have not exactly sounded eager to move him. But that can shift if the season goes sideways. Speaking to NFL insider Ari Meirov on his "NFL Spotlight" show, Johnny Venerable of the PHNX Cardinals podcast said Mike LaFleur's team could still weigh trade offers for Sweat later in the year.
"I think he's very much on the trading block if this team is terrible at the deadline," Venerable said. "Because then you've got a year left on his deal.
He is super productive. I think you could get a second-round pick for him to a contender."
That kind of scenario would put the Packers right back in the mix. Arizona looks headed for another rough season, and if that happens, Sweat would become exactly the sort of player a rebuilding team might cash in for draft capital. At the same time, he’d also be the kind of veteran pass rusher who could prefer a contender while he’s still in his prime.
Green Bay, of course, would still have to decide whether the price is worth it. The draft capital needed to land Sweat wouldn’t come cheap, and Brian Gutekunst would have to weigh that against other needs. Maxx Crosby does not appear to be an option - he’s unlikely to be available and would be well beyond the Packers’ budget anyway - which keeps Sweat in the conversation as a more realistic target.
The Packers are also hoping Lukas Van Ness takes the jump they’ve been waiting for after an uneven start to his career. The traits are there, but the production hasn’t matched them yet, and there’s no guarantee that changes quickly enough.
If Green Bay starts slowly because it can’t consistently pressure quarterbacks, a move at the deadline could become unavoidable. And if that happens, Sweat would be one of the clearest names to watch.
He would also bring real production. Last season, Sweat posted 30 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 17 QB hits, and 12.0 sacks for Arizona. He added four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and two passes defended.
For now, the Packers’ Josh Sweat dream is still alive.
In Other News...
Packers Are Counting On Nick Niemann In A Bigger Way
Nick Niemann has become one of the more important under-the-radar pieces on Green Bays roster heading into the 2026 NFL season. Ranked No. 37 on a Top 50 Packers players list, he stands out less for headlines than for reliability, with the team valuing him as both a backup linebacker and a key special teams presence. His impact showed up in a big way before injury interrupted his 2025 season, when he led the NFL in total special teams tackles.
The Packers clearly saw enough to keep him around, extending his contract for one more year as they look to maintain stability in the kicking game and coverage units. If Niemann stays healthy, he should again be one of the teams most important special teams contributors in 2026, a role that may not grab attention on Sundays but can quietly swing field position and help shape games over the course of a season. [Read more 🡒]
Packers May Need Unexpected Help From Roster Cuts At Two Spots
The Packers preseason roster picture still has a couple of soft spots, and tight end and running back are the ones worth watching as cutdown day approaches on Aug. 30. Green Bay has dealt with injuries and some unsettled depth at both positions, which could leave the front office looking beyond its current group for an extra body or two once the leagues waiver wire and roster churn get moving.
Among the names to keep in mind are Tanner Hudson, Trey Benson and Emanuel Wilson, all of whom fit the kind of post-cutdown shopping list the Packers may have to work from. Hudsons availability would depend on Cincinnatis numbers at tight end, while Benson is a more intriguing possibility because of his pedigree, even if the Cardinals end up making a surprising choice with their backfield. For Green Bay, the question is less about whether help could shake loose and more about whether the right help becomes available at exactly the right time. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Family Night Put New Pressure On Several Key Roster Battles
Family Night at Lambeau Field gave the Packers a first big-stage look at their rookies, with more than 60,000 fans watching a practice that also offered a clearer picture of where a few roster battles stand. The setting mattered almost as much as the snaps themselves, because this was the first time the new class had to handle that kind of crowd while coaches sorted through line combinations, defensive groupings and several injury-related absences.
The nights most memorable sequence came on a deep strike from Jordan Love to Matthew Golden, the kind of play that tends to linger when camp reports are otherwise packed with personnel notes and evaluation details. There were also a few defenders and linemen who kept adding to their cases, and with spots still very much up for grabs, the pressure now shifts to whether those practice performances keep carrying over once the competition tightens. [Read more 🡒]