Nobody is exactly sure when it happened. Or began.
A rumor started about the Arizona Cardinals wanting to trade EDGE rusher Josh Sweat. Not a soul with the team has confirmed that they said this, or put it out for release.
RELATED: CARDINALS FANS SEE SWEAT LEADING TEAM IN SACKS
Maybe it began at a neighborhood barber shop where everything is discussed and aired out among the clients in chairs and other patrons sitting in the waiting area. Perhaps it began on TikTok, like where most untruths begin, or started
with one of those YouTube lawyers.
On Monday, Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort held a press conference and squashed any rumors that the franchise had zero interest in trading Sweat.
“There’s always a lot of talk that goes around that. We have no interest in trading Josh. We’re excited to have him, but some of those discussions are going to keep private, but excited to have Josh here. Had a great year last year. Excited for more good things out of him this year.”
Trading Sweat would become a very dumb move. Both the Green Bay Packers and shipping Sweat back to the Eagles, have been linked to making contact with Arizona about trading Sweat to their respective clubs.
The Cardinals offense should be pretty good this year with a ton of talent on that side of the ball. The defense last year became a weak link with the team leading in seven contests late in the fourth quarter, yet could not hold the lead, which led to seven losses.
So, the defense has to improve this season. Trading their best pass rusher for probably a second-round draft pick does not help this year’s roster whatsoever.
With Ossenfort stating, “We have no interest in trading Josh,” that pretty much closes the narrative on the subject. That seems to be a firm response.
But the question still lingers: When did this subject come to life?
The origins came from one of those mysterious “sources.”
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon and Sweat had a great relationship and history together. Both were with the Philadelphia Eagles and involved with a successful franchise. Gannon was the DC when Sweat was already on the defense and spent two years together. In Gannon’s first year with the Eagles, Sweat was named to his first and only Pro Bowl, highlighted by his 11 sacks in his second year under Gannon.
In 2021, Sweat signed a three-year extension with the Eagles. When his deal ran out after the 2024 season, Gannon wanted Sweat. Ossenfort then inked Sweat during free agency to a four-year contract worth up to $76.4 million, with $41 million guaranteed.
When Gannon was fired, apparently Sweat was upset.
On the March 9, 2026, PHNX Sports Cardinals Podcast, host Johnny Venerable stated:
“I think that Josh Sweat will get traded. I’ll break some news right now. When (former Cardinals head coach) Jonathan Gannon got fired, Josh Sweat asked to be traded. Maybe he’s cool with (Cardinals defensive coordinator) Nick Rallis, so it’s fine now. I don’t know. But he has to get traded.”
The very next day on NJ.com, which covers the Eagles and both New York clubs, Chris Franklin took on the story about the Cardinals maybe trading Sweat and stated:
“The Eagles could turn to one of their former players who reportedly wants to leave his current team. On Monday, podcaster Johnny Venerable brought up edge rusher Josh Sweat as a player who could be on the move this offseason.”
Two days later, on March 12, writer Jess Root of Cardinals Wire published an article with the heading, “Report: Josh Sweat requested trade from Arizona Cardinals.”
Root wrote:
“One of their best players requested a trade. Pass rusher Josh Sweat requested a trade after Gannon was fired. The front office told him no, and that was it to the story so far. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis has been retained, so the defensive scheme shouldn’t change much, and Sweat possibly could be happy with that, which is why we haven’t heard much on the subject.”
Sweat is a legitimate pass rusher. He had a career-high in his one year in the desert with 12.0 sacks, 17 QB hits, 28 pressures, 13 tackles for loss, and zero missed tackles. Arizona wouldn’t save much against the salary cap if they moved him, as he is due just $9.78 million in salary.
But suddenly, the rumor of trading Sweat took off. All of this occurred during the free agency period and before April’s NFL draft.
On May 26, NFL Insider Jordan Schultz of The Schultz Report tweeted out that Ossenfort had received calls from several NFL teams about the availability of Sweat via a trade.
This set off a series of articles from several media outlets who reported the same thing.
Sam Robinson wrote an article on Pro Football Rumors entitled, “Cardinals OLB Josh Sweat Drawing Trade Interest.” In the article, Robinson suggested:
“Josh Sweat delivered a productive first season with the Cardinals, but the team finished 3-14. Three years remain on Sweat’s contract, but teams are exploring the possibility of Arizona unloading it. The Cardinals have received trade calls on Sweat. Arizona will surely set a high asking price. Arizona did not draft an edge rusher and returns a modest Sweat supporting cast. Sweat would be an appealing commodity due to his wildly team-friendly deal that runs through the 2028 season.”
The PHNX Sports Cardinals Podcast put out its analysis on Sweat being considered in a trade. Host Bo Brack mentioned Schultz’s tweet and reported:
“Here’s what’s interesting. A lot of people see this, and they just want to cut bait immediately. It’s not as simple as this. What do the Cardinals have as far as the pass rush goes without Josh Sweat? Your next closest sack getter for the Cardinals last season plays for the Baltimore Ravens, the ageless Calais Campbell.”
The facts are, nobody from the Cardinals was saying anything about trading Sweat. When the rumor became bigger than huge, the front office finally had to address it and maintained they had no interest in moving their top pass rusher. All of this buzz surrounding the possibility of Sweat being shipped off to another team was created by one sports site followed by another, then another, and….
Schultz cited, “Sources: The Cardinals have received trade calls on Pro Bowl DE Josh Sweat.” The PHNX Sports Cardinals Podcast stated: “Report: The Cardinals are receiving trade calls.”
Using words like “sources” and “reports” does not mean Josh Sweat nor his agent nor the Arizona front office nor the coaching staff have said anything about a trade percolating.
For months, this was swirling around. Sweat not participating in OTAs and training camp only amplified this rumor.
But get this: There isn’t any ink on Sweat actually asking for a trade once Gannon was fired.
Another thing: In his recent press conference, Ossenfort didn’t try to deny that Sweat had asked for a trade, and he didn’t deny that other NFL clubs had been calling regarding the possibility of a trade. Which means both probably happened.
Everyone gets that Sweat and Gannon held a close relationship. But the NFL is a business, and things happen. Like losing your job. Sweat signed a four-year deal, and if he is indeed not satisfied with being with Arizona now that his mentor has left the building, he is still a member of the Cardinals and being well-paid for a former fourth-round draft pick.
Arizona is not trading Josh Sweat.
What is real is that Sweat is working hard to be able to suit up in Week 1.
Ossenfort offered:
“(Josh) is making good progress. He is getting closer every day. I think Josh is going to be out there in due time to get ready for the season opener, and we’re excited to get him out there and get him going.”
On July 23, the Cardinals placed four players on the PUP list: OT Paris Johnson, TE Tip Reiman, CB Garrett Williams, and Sweat.
Here is the curious part. What is Sweat’s injury? When did it occur? Is it something recent, or prolonged from last season?
Sweat injured his ankle in Week 16 last season against the Atlanta Falcons when he was rolled up on and missed some practices, but played in Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals with just 24 defensive snaps (31% of defensive plays). Before the final game in Week 18 versus the Los Angeles Rams, he was listed as questionable with an ankle/knee issue, but he played 19 snaps (25%) and got a sack.
With the PUP designation, it mentions an ongoing knee issue. Is it the same knee problem from late in 2025? Or something he picked up during the offseason? Sweat has not worked out in any type of team session at all, plus the entirety of training camp.
Cardinals head coach LaFleur stated this when asked about Sweat:
“Yeah, there’s different parts of injuries and stuff like that. And I shouldn’t even call it injuries. Just getting himself right to be ready to roll. So, again, I like where he’s at. I know everyone probably is not believing me on that one, but again, I only try to speak truth to you guys.”
In the post-practice session this past Sunday, the coach was asked about the PUP guys, to which he mentioned Sweat:
“I’d say progress, but no timeline right now. If you ask Tip (Reiman), Tip’s feeling good. Garrett’s (Williams) feeling good. Sweaty’s feeling good. But I don’t have a timeline for you, and truly I mean that.”
Is it possible that Sweat is absolutely fine and ready to go, and just doesn’t want to go through training camp? After Lawrence Taylor’s second year in the NFL, when he was tearing up the league, LT never showed up for training camp. Instead, he arrived the week before the first game.
Nobody is stating that Sweat is injured. But the team is stating that they aren’t trading him.
