Josh Sweat to the Green Bay Packers just makes too much sense. While the odds of a trade happening this summer remain low, the Packers should still hold out hope for the not-too-distant future.
It's no secret that Sweat has a connection with Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon dating back to their time together in Philadelphia. Sweat followed him to Arizona and continued to enjoy the best production of his career in Gannon's system.
There were reports this offseason that the Cardinals had received trade calls about Sweat.
Packers fans' dreams were soon crushed, though, after Ian Rapoport slammed the door shut with an update that Arizona had no intention to trade him.
However, the dream might not be completely over. Appearing on NFL Spotlight with Ari Meirov, Cardinals expert Johnny Venerbale of the PHNX Cardinals podcast explained why a deal before the trade deadline could be more feasible.
"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."
The Packers, in particular, should be paying close attention. It again comes back to the Sweat-Gannon connection.
"We reported on our show first, and you can take this to the bank: He asked to be traded the day Gannon got fired. That was a very emotional day at the facility," Venerable said. "Sweat was there in Arizona because of JG, and he's had his best seasons because of JG. The team was not good, but Sweat was good. Twelve sacks, could've had more. Had his best season in Philly with Gannon. He asked to be traded and the team was like, 'No.'"
Why a Packers-Cardinals trade for Josh Sweat could turn into a win-win deal
The ship may have sailed on a potential deal before the season, as the Cardinals have missed an opportunity to add the draft picks that would help them this year. That shouldn't stop the Packers from trying.
As Venerable points out, Sweat has two years left on his contract, but the Cardinals may need all the draft capital they can get to target a quarterback in what promises to be a deep 2027 class. Sweat is 29 years old and ready to help a contender, perhaps less so a rebuilding team like Arizona.
The Cardinals understandably don't want to give away their best pass-rusher just six weeks before the season. It would essentially prove they are punting on trying to make a run this year. But general manager Monti Ossenfort should have one eye on the future, especially with such a pivotal draft class coming up.
For the Packers, it's all about winning now. They moved into Super Bowl mode the moment they sent two first-round picks to the Dallas Cowboys for Micah Parsons.
Why not go full "F them picks" and send another to the Cardinals? Ossenfort may prefer to keep Sweat, but Brian Gutekunst should make an offer that's too tempting to pass up.
Training camp is continuing to prove why Josh Sweat should be on the Packers' radar
Green Bay's pass rush without Parsons is worrying. That was the story last season, and those concerns haven't eased one week into training camp. Lukas Van Ness has shown some breakout signs, while Dani Dennis-Sutton impressed in the first padded practice, but the Packers need to see a lot more from their edge-rushers.
Adding a veteran like Sweat, who is coming off a 12-sack season in Gannon's defense, would give Green Bay a formidable defensive front, especially once Parsons returns.
The Packers have belief in their young pass-rushers, and that's fine, but to this point, Barryn Sorrell hasn't proven he can make a meaningful contribution. Dennis-Sutton has a ton of potential but is a rookie. Van Ness is building on an impressive offseason, but he is still an unknown in the regular season.
If it becomes Parsons-or-bust for this pass rush, especially with him expected to miss over a month of the regular season, the Packers' Super Bowl hopes could fade fast.
Reuniting Sweat and Gannon would transform the pass rush. Even if it means waiting until nearer the trade deadline, the Packers need to make the Cardinals an offer they can't turn down.
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