Josh Sweat Suddenly Emerges As A Much More Realistic Bears Trade Target
Maxx Crosby is somehow back on the market after his trade to the Baltimore Ravens was voided for a failed physical. The Chicago Bears were involved in some capacity throughout the process, making an offer that didn’t quite get it done. Now they have a second chance, with far fewer suitors to battle against. Baltimore signed Trey Hendrickson. Buffalo signed Bradley Chubb. Dallas traded for Rashan Gary. Only the Philadelphia Eagles remain as a possible contender, and they might have eyes for Jonathan Greenard instead. Even so, it sounds like the Raiders are stubbornly sticking to their price of two 1st round picks. If the Bears aren’t willing to go that high, they may have an alternative in the form of Josh Sweat.
The former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion from Philadelphia signed with the Arizona Cardinals last spring. He responded with a career-best 12 sacks, becoming one of the few bright spots on a bad team. One would think Arizona is eager to hang onto him. That may not be possible. It seems the firing of head coach Jonathan Gannon did not sit well with Sweat. According to Jonathan Venerable of the PHNX Cardinals podcast, the edge rusher has asked for a trade.
“I think that Josh Sweat will get traded,” Venerable said. “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.”
Josh Sweat is exactly the alternative the Bears want.
The defensive end turns 29 years old at the end of this month. So he is around the same age as Crosby. He obviously has big-game experience from his time in Philadelphia. Most importantly, his contract is far more palatable. Sweat counts $16 million against the cap this season and $23.6 million in 2027 and 2028. That is far better than the $35 million per year Crosby would bring with him from Las Vegas. It isn’t a secret that the Cardinals are entering a rebuilding phase. They just fired their head coach and have no clear quarterback options. Most believe they will sell 2026 in hopes of getting a high pick next year.
This isn’t a team expecting to compete this season, so why would they hold any veteran player hostage? If Josh Sweat wants out, it isn’t hard to imagine the team grants his wish. Chicago would be the perfect landing spot for him. He has the size and length Dennis Allen covets, and is just the dynamic threat the Bears need opposite Montez Sweat. As for compensation, it would likely take a 3rd or 4th round pick to facilitate a deal. That feels like something right in the sweet spot for Ryan Poles.
Sweat would ease the pressure on the Bears’ draft plans.
Right now, the team seems duty-bound to focus on the defensive line come the start of the 2026 draft. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. By all accounts, it is a strong draft class on that side of the ball, particularly on the edge. Preferably, you wouldn’t want to rely on rookies to help elevate the team back to the playoffs. Adding a proven commodity like Josh Sweat is an ideal move. He brings proven experience and production. His contract is easily affordable. It comes down to whether he’d be open to joining the Bears.
There is no reason to think he wouldn’t. They have a respected coaching staff in place, highlighted by defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. He would know how to use Sweat. There is also the fact that he’d get to rush opposite Montez Sweat, an advantage he didn’t have in Arizona. Everything depends on the Arizona brass. If they take his trade request seriously, this deal should come together with relative ease. If they’re reluctant, it may take some shenanigans on Sweat’s part to change their minds.