For months the Chicago Bears have been connected to several defensive ends on both the veteran trade and free agent markets. Previously there has been confirmation the Bears expressed interest in Maxx Crosby, and general manager Ryan Poles has been open about monitoring the scene to potentially upgrade their roster at defensive end. Today has presented a development regarding a player frequently linked to Chicago in various trade rumors.
Per Jordan Schultz of Yahoo Sports the Arizona Cardinals are
receiving calls on Pro Bowl defensive end Josh Sweat. It remains to be seen how serious the interest league-wide is, and whether a deal gets struck. There could be plenty of movement happening with the all-important date of June 2nd just on the horizon.
June 2nd is a significant day in the league as it marks the first day any team who finalizes a cut or trade can move salary cap around into future years to lessen the burden of dead money as opposed to any time at or before June 1st. In the case of Josh Sweat and the Arizona Cardinals a total of $10.88M can be saved against their 2026 salary cap with any Post June-1st designated trade. In return, the Cardinals would absorb approximately $5.51M in dead cap, as opposed to over $22M if traded before June 1st. They also have up until the trade deadline of week six to move Sweat and recoup their cash savings.
Why would the Cardinals trade away a premium player at a premium position? Well, the 29-year old veteran made a formal request to be traded shortly after his close friend in Josh Gannon was fired as the Cardinals’ head coach. The franchise is also in the beginning stages of yet another rebuild. Receiving any substantial draft compensation and financial relief will make general manager Monti Ossenfort at least mull his options.
This is where the Bears and a seamless fit schematically comes into play. They have yet to make any sizeable additions to their roster at defensive end since the offseason began. Additionally, they’re likely the last team remaining on the trade market for a defensive end, as the Philadelphia Eagles took themselves out once finalizing their deal for Jonathan Greenard. However, a few moves to open up cap space will need to happen prior to *any* significant move. Naturally it takes two sides and a likely contract restructuring to make a deal.
If / when things get spicy you all will hear plenty more about this.
