:Cowboys urged to make blockbuster trade for $76 million defensive star

The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for the 2026 season and obviously hope to make it back to the playoffs after a disappointing 2025 season. 

The main reason the Cowboys missed the postseason last year is their defense. The team was horrible on that side of the ball, and made some huge changes this offseason in a bid to improve. For example, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was fired, and the team added a few solid defenders in free agency. 

The Cowboys specifically need to get better on the edge. Micah Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers right before the 2025 season, and predictably, the Cowboys struggled to get pressure without the star. 

In a bid to improve there, the Cowboys traded for Rashan Gary. Gary has been a solid pass-rusher, but the team needs to do even more. And, conveniently, another pass rusher is being floated on the trade market. 

Cowboys identified as logical landing spot for Josh Sweat 

Josh Sweat was one of the best pass rushers in the league last year. 2025 was Sweat's first season with the Arizona Cardinals after signing a massive $76 million deal. 

Sweat responded by racking up 12 sacks, 30 tackles, and 13 tackles for loss in 2025. However, Sweat is reportedly unhappy in Arizona, and as a result, has been absent from OTAs. The Cardinals could decide to trade the veteran, and if they do, the Cowboys make plenty of sense. 

Donnie Druin of Cardinals On SI offered the following analysis on Sweat and the Cowboys: 

The Cowboys are in search of more pass rush help after trading away Micah Parsons, and what better way to polish their room off with a former divisional rival that had a career best 12 sacks last season? Dallas is always looking for a move to get them closer to a Super Bowl, and this could be the final puzzle piece.

As Druin mentioned, the Cowboys have been desperately trying to improve the pass rush since the Parsons trade, and acquiring Sweat would be their boldest attempt to do so. 

In Dallas, Sweat would presumably start opposite Gary, with Malachi Lawrence and Donovan Ezeiruaku rotating in as well. The Cowboys' edge group could immediately go from a weakness to a strength after this trade. 

This just seems like the type of move the Cowboys would make. Not only would they be getting an elite talent, but it's also a guy who was once a division rival. 

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• Packers urged to trade for disgruntled star ahead of 2026 season
• Former Tennessee star could be 49ers' best UDFA 
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