The Arizona Cardinals are trying to get back into the thick of things this year. Beating the Dallas Cowboys last weekend after being dominated for the first half is a sign that this roster still has a good degree of fight in it, and that the season is not lost.
What is helping is that this year, the other teams in the NFC West Division are also struggling, such as the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks.
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It is true that Arizona still resides at the bottom
of the division with a 3-5-0 record, but unlike other years, they are now just one game out of second place.
Usually, when teams begin their season badly, when the trade deadline rolls around in November, it is assumed that these horrid teams will begin trading off their best players, who just happen to be some of their most expensive athletes. Because the Cardinals began 2-5-0, they were tossed into this category.
And even though the team is on a one-game winning streak, they remain on the “sellers” list, especially after the Jacoby Brissett trade. Here are two players that have been earmarked for being involved in a trade, and their updates.
EDGE Josh Sweat
For over a month, Sweat has been mentioned by just about every national and local media outlet as a potential trade. Last year, he had 12 sacks, 17 QB hits, and 28 pressures, among other stats. He was a menace on passing downs and proved his worth after being signed to a huge deal in free agency.
If the Cardinals had sought out a trade partner during the offseason, Sweat would have brought a bounty of draft picks. But that was last year. His production this season has been subpar, with 3 sacks, 5 QB hits, and 9 pressures through eight games. Which means his trade value has lessened, even though the Cardinals have the same DC and the same defensive scheme as last year. However, it should be noted that Sweat has three sacks in his last five games.
What is his update?
For one, the franchise is admitting that Sweat is available before the trade deadline on November 10. But GM Monti Ossenfort has also stated that they are fine with keeping him and hope that his production will increase going into the second half of the schedule.
And Arizona will most likely retain his services because Ossenfort isn’t letting Sweat go for cheap. Word is, the Cardinals have a high asking price, which will keep some teams in the probability category, while others will simply bow out. Sweat has stated that he would be amenable to a trade, or would be happy to stay put.
The Cardinals have complete control over this situation. Considered dead, by coming back and beating Dallas the way they did, it is quite possible that a QB change will alter this offense going forward, and that Arizona isn’t interested in letting Sweat walk away. After all, every NFL club is always looking for a good pass rusher, and Sweat has two more years remaining on his contract.
We will see this weekend against the Seahawks how this offense will react with QB Jacoby Brissett being relegated to the bench and Gardner Minshew elevated to the starting role. But this team may, or may not, be more competitive than once thought. Multiple clubs have reached out to Ossenfort so far, with the Cowboys the loudest voice. Other interested teams include the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals. The San Francisco 49ers have also been mentioned, but the unwritten rule is that a club never trades within the division, and they try not to trade within the conference.
Arizona has not divulged what their asking price is, but all along it has been estimated to be a Day 2 pick, meaning a second or third-round draft pick, with a fourth or fifth-round selection thrown in.
The big question remains: Is it worth it to the Cardinals’ defense to suddenly be without their only productive pass rusher for a draft pick that isn’t going to help them at all this season?
If things go well against Seattle, look for Ossenfort to stand pat on Sweat, then readdress a trade possibility in the offseason if his production doesn’t increase to last year’s level.
Safety Budda Baker
Nobody knows where the gossip began about Baker being on the trade market, but every year, his name appears. Maybe his agent starts the rumor.
Baker has publicly stated that he is happy playing for the Cardinals organization, and that he likes the defensive scheme and gets along well with DC Nick Rallis.
The thinking in the organization at this point is that they are very content with Baker’s production, his tackling numbers, and his leadership in the locker room. The Cardinals are not actively seeking a trade unless they receive an offer that would blow the doors off. Which isn’t going to happen.
Recently, on the “Pat McAfee Show,” NFL Insider Adam Schefter stated that Ossenfort has little to no interest in moving Baker.
