Josh Sweat delivered a productive first season with the Cardinals, but the team finished 3-14. Three years remain on Sweat’s contract, but teams are exploring the possibility of Arizona unloading it.
The Cardinals have received trade calls on Sweat, according to veteran insider Jordan Schultz. Although the Cards retained DC Nick Rallis — after multiple candidates dropped out of the running — Schultz adds Sweat is close with since-fired HC Jonathan Gannon. Sweat played under Gannon in Philadelphia and rejoined him in Arizona last year.
Entering his age-29 season, Sweat is tied to a four-year deal worth $76.4MM. Sweat’s 2026 compensation is guaranteed, but no guarantees are in place beyond this year. The former Eagles standout is due $9.78MM in base salary this season, presenting an interesting opportunity for a Cardinals team that replaced Gannon with Mike LaFleur. Sweat, however, is coming off a career-best season in the sack department; he finished with 12. The recent explosion on the edge rusher market also gives the Cardinals a bargain with Sweat, whose $18.1MM AAV is now less than a third of where Will Anderson Jr.‘s top-market AAV stands ($50MM).
More to come.