The Josh Sweat trade rollercoaster is open for business once again. It's dizzying. Endless speculation and conflicting rumors from just about every reporter and "in the know."
Multiple Packers reporters added fuel to the fire by posting pictures of Sweat at Ray Nitschke Field ahead of Wednesday's joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals. That included ESPN's Rob Demovsky, who posted a picture of Sweat with the caption: "Submitted without comment."
The Athletic's Matt Schneidman took a similar approach, posting a photo of Sweat without a caption.
Neither of them was reporting anything one way or another, and they were likely just having fun, but their posts unnecessarily stirred the pot and, perhaps inadvertently, added to the confusion.
So, you know what, Demovsky? Schneidman? Adam Schefter? Every insider who is giving their take on whether Sweat will be a Packer by week's end?! This is on you. We're going to break down exactly what a Packers-Sweat trade could look like and why it makes sense.
After all, a trade would make a ton of sense for the Packers. For Jonathan Gannon. And the Cardinals, too. And after spending some time in the laboratory, crunching the numbers, and determining what trade terms could finally get this saga over with and ensure Sweat wears green and gold this season, it's beautifully poetic.
The Packers could send a fourth-rounder, otherwise known as the Rashan Gary Pick, to the Cardinals. Let's break it down, shall we?
Packers should offer their Rashan Gary pick to Cardinals for Josh Sweat
Brian Gutekunst, thank me later. I've just done your job for you, and done it brilliantly, if you ask me.
The Packers should have a boatload of fourth-round picks next year – their own, a compensatory pick for losing Romeo Doubs, potentially another for losing Malik Willis (although this could be a third-rounder), and, of course, the Rashan Gary Pick.
Green Bay traded Gary to the Dallas Cowboys back in March, receiving a 2027 fourth-rounder in return.
The Packers can't yet trade the Doubs or Willis compensatory picks because they're hypothetical. They don't exist yet. That leaves them with two, for now: their own and the Cowboys'. We believe, and maybe it's just us being biased, that Green Bay will finish with a better record than Dallas. That would make the Gary pick more lucrative to the Cardinals.
To sweeten the deal, the Packers could send second-year Collin Oliver, who has received the nickname "Baby Micah," the other way.
The Packers would need to make a pass-rush move out of necessity. Sweat would join Micah Parsons, Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Brenton Cox, and Oliver in Green Bay. Something has to give.
Cox would be another trade option, but he's entering his age-27 season. The Cardinals may prefer to take a flier on 23-year-old Oliver, whose speed, athleticism, and pass-rush potential could make him a fun developmental player. He could thrive as a designated pass rusher.
Why a Josh Sweat trade would make sense for the Packers and Cardinals
Landing Sweat would be a home run for the Packers. He is built for a Jonathan Gannon defense.
Just look at Sweat's best sack totals: 12.0 in 2025, 11.0 in 2022, 8.0 in 2024, and 7.5 in 2021. Three of those came in a Gannon defense.
Sweat was a Pro Bowler with Gannon in Philadelphia. Last season, he posted a career-best 12 sacks with Gannon in Arizona. They are a perfect match. Gannon knows how to get the best out of Sweat, and it's why the veteran pass rusher followed his coach from the Eagles to Cardinals in the first place. And it's why he'd presumably welcome a move to Green Bay.
For the Packers, it would solve a major problem.
The pass rush is feeling the loss of Micah Parsons. Van Ness has looked solid this summer. Sorrell has flashed at times, and the Packers can expect solid backup from Cox. Hopefully rookie Dennis-Sutton can contribute right away. But this group hasn't put it all together yet, and that's a problem.
Sweat would solve that. He could temporarily step into the No. 1 role opposite Van Ness, giving the Packers an excellent 1-2 punch. Once Parsons is healthy, they'd have an unstoppable pass rush with waves of problems for opposing quarterbacks.
Gannon could line up Parsons and Sweat on opposite ends. Rush Van Ness from the inside with Javon Hargrave and Devonte Wyatt. He'd then be able to call on Sorrell and Dennis-Sutton and Cox from the bench and keep his pass rush fresh.
It would be championship level.
For the Cardinals, why on earth haven't they traded Sweat already?! I understand not wanting to wave the white flag on the season too soon, but let's be realistic. They are a rebuilding team and going nowhere.
Sweat is 29 years old, and his cap hits will continue to rise over the next two years. It's hard to see how he fits into their rebuild timeline. By the time Arizona is ready to compete, Sweat will be in his 30s and potentially a cap casualty.
A fourth-round pick in a deep 2027 class plus a promising developmental pass rusher? That would be a great offer (remember to thank me, Gutey).
For the Packers, it would be poetic to turn the Gary pick into his Pro Bowl replacement. Some stories just write themselves.
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