Packers: Why Josh Sweat Trade Can't Be Ruled Out

Rumors floated earlier this week that the Green Bay Packers were interested in trading for Arizona Cardinals defensive end Josh Sweat, and one NFL insider thinks the idea cannot be ruled out at this point in the offseason.

On Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL media suggested that the rumors about the Packers and Cardinals discussing trade compensation for Sweat were not true.

“This has gained some steam on social media, so just to provide some clarity: Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat is not being traded. Not to the Packers or anywhere. Carry on,” Rapoport posted on X.

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In an answer to a fan’s question about the potential trade, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated suggested the Packers could be interested in trading for Sweat and wouldn’t rule out the possibility.

“Mark, I wouldn't rule it out,” Breer wrote. “There were plenty of rumors that Sweat would be traded ahead of the draft. When I asked the Cardinals about it then, I got a pretty emphatic no.”

“But if new Packers DC Jonathan Gannon goes through the spring and isn't wild about what he has to line up opposite Micah Parsons-and right now, it's former first-rounder Lukas Van Ness, who's been just O.K. and not much else-then I could see Green Bay reevaluating its options. And since Sweat was with Gannon for the past four years, he'd be a very logical add.”

Something else might make the Packers more receptive to the idea.

Earlier in the offseason, it appeared Parsons would start the season on the PUP list but could return as soon as Week 5 from his ACL injury. On Wednesday, Parsons told reporters that he expects to return in mid-October.

With the return of Parsons uncertain, Green Bay wants to add some insurance for the pass-rush to keep the team in the hunt until the All-Pro is back on the field.

Sweat, 29, is coming off a season where he created a career-high 12 sacks for the Cardinals, so his value would be high if Arizona wanted to hasten its rebuild this offseason.

With that being said, it’s unclear how much interest the Packers would have in giving up more draft capital for 2027, as they lost their first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for Parsons.

Green Bay lost a lot of veterans on offense and defense this offseason because of cap issues, and they need draft picks to rebuild its roster.

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 6:47 PM.