The Dallas Cowboys are once again being tied to a high-profile defensive move, this time involving Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat. ESPN insider Dan Graziano recently linked Dallas to a possible trade for the veteran pass rusher, while reports around the league suggest Sweat's future in Arizona may not be as secure as it once looked. With roughly $22 million in dead money attached to a deal and no guaranteed money remaining after this season, the situation has quickly become one of the more closely watched NFL trade rumors heading into training camp.
Which Teams Are Interested in Josh Sweat?
Dallas has emerged as one of the clearest fits for Sweat if Arizona eventually decides to move him. The Cowboys spent most of the offseason rebuilding a defense that struggled badly last year. They added Rashan Gary through trade talks, drafted Malachi Lawrence and Caleb Downs, and brought in several new defensive pieces under the revamped coaching staff. Even with those moves, there are still questions about consistency on the edge. Gary faded badly late last season, while Lawrence and Donovan Ezeiruaku remain largely unproven at the NFL level. Sweat would immediately bring experience and reliable production to the rotation. He recorded a career-high 12 sacks in 2025 and has posted at least eight sacks in three of the past four seasons. New England has also been mentioned as a possible landing spot. Like Dallas, the Patriots are looking for proven pass rush help and have enough cap flexibility to absorb a veteran contract.
What Insiders Are Saying About the Trade Rumors
Graziano believes Dallas makes football sense if Arizona opens the door to conversations. "The Cardinals would take on about $22 million in dead money ($5.505 million this year, $16.515 million next year) if they dealt him, which isn't a ton in today's market but means the acquiring team would probably have to make it worth their while with the compensation," Graziano said. "New England and Dallas would make a lot of sense if Sweat were to be available." At the same time, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport pushed back strongly on the speculation. "Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat is not being traded," Rapoport reported. That has not stopped league-wide discussion. Cardinals insider Kyle Odegard added another layer earlier this offseason when he reported, "Don't know the exact reason for the absence, but I've been hearing for awhile that Josh Sweat is not particularly happy in Arizona."
Contract Details and Salary Cap Implications
Sweat's contract is a major reason the rumors continue to circulate. While he remains signed for two more seasons, there is no guaranteed money left after 2026. That often becomes a pressure point for veteran players looking for long-term security. Arizona would absorb a sizable dead cap charge if it trades him, but the Cardinals are also still rebuilding. Moving Sweat now could allow them to collect draft capital while his value remains high. For Dallas, the financial side is manageable. The bigger question is whether Jerry Jones believes Sweat is worth sacrificing a premium draft pick for a player approaching his 30s.
How the Trade Could Impact Both Teams
For the Cowboys, adding Sweat would immediately raise the ceiling of their pass rush. Dallas missed the postseason largely because its defense collapsed in key stretches last year. A proven edge rusher could change that quickly and help stabilize the entire front seven. Arizona's side of the equation is more complicated. Trading Sweat would weaken an already thin defense in the short term, but it could accelerate the team's longer rebuild. If the Cardinals are still multiple seasons away from contending, maximizing Sweat's current value may ultimately make more sense than holding onto him. Right now, the Cardinals continue to publicly deny any plans to move him. Around the league, though, executives are still watching closely.
