The Dallas Cowboys have done a lot to upgrade their edge rushing room this offseason. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, though, argued the Cowboys should do one more thing this offseason to help the unit — trade for veteran Josh Sweat.
On Saturday, Knox called a potential Sweat trade the “one move” the Cowboys still need to make this offseason.
“The Dallas Cowboys have overhauled their edge rotation, trading for Rashan Gary before drafting Malachi Lawrence and Jaishawn Barham. They should make one more move to solidify the group and make a play for Arizona Cardinals edge-rusher Josh Sweat,” wrote Knox.
“Sweat isn’t necessarily on the trade block. However, he was absent at the start of OTAs, and, according to Cardinals insider Kyle Odegard, is ‘not particularly happy’ in Arizona.
“Adding Sweat would help complete the Cowboys’ edge-rushing rebuild.”
Sweat began his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. From 2018-24, he had 43 sacks with 54 tackles for loss in 104 games.
Sweat spent last season with the Arizona Cardinals. Despite playing on a defense far worse than the Eagles units he was part of, Sweat posted a career-best 12 sacks with 13 tackles for loss and 17 quarterback hits for the Cardinals.
98.7 FM Phoenix’s John Gambadoro reported on May 19 that Sweat is not participating in Cardinals early offseason workouts despite not being injured.
Could Cowboys Acquire Edge Rusher Josh Sweat From Cardinals?
Players missing voluntary offseason workouts isn’t supposed to be a significant deal. But that’s often not the case. At least it hasn’t been with Sweat this May.
Clearly, Knox sees it as an opportunity for the Cowboys to acquire the veteran edge rusher.
Sweat has three years remaining on his Arizona contract. With that in mind, it’s not clear what his intentions are sitting out OTAs. It’s also not apparent what kind of leverage he really has to ultimately get whatever he’s seeking.
But if he caused a big enough headache, then perhaps the Cardinals could look to trade him. The Cowboys could swoop in and potentially land Sweat for a bargain.
Sweat has recorded at least six sacks in each of the past six seasons. He made the Pro Bowl during the 2021 campaign with 7.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits.
Before last season, Sweat’s career high was 11 sacks. He reached that total with a career-best 48 combined tackles, including 15 tackles for loss, 23 quarterback hits, one pass defense and a pick-six in 2022.
Cowboys Edge Rushing Depth Entering 2026
Rashan Gary and Malachi Lawrence were the big additions Dallas made to its edge rush this offseason. The Cowboys traded for Gary while they picked Lawrence at No. 23 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Those two new defenders will join an outside linebacker group that includes Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Houston. The Cowboys also added Tyrus Wheat in free agency.
At defensive end, the Cowboys have Quinnen Williams, who they acquired at last season’s trade deadline, and fourth-round rookie LT Overton.
The Cowboys are looking to improve upon their 22nd overall ranking in sacks last season. They were tied for 22nd with 35 sacks.
Sweat, who has Super Bowl experience, winning one championship ring, turned 29 years old in March. He would be another rotational pass rushing upgrade, at least in the short term, for Dallas.
