ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that the Dallas Cowboys are a “team to watch” in trade discussions involving Arizona Cardinals pass rusher Josh Sweat, with the Nov. 10 deadline approaching. Schefter’s report came hours before Dallas hosted Arizona, a matchup he noted would give the Cowboys “an up-close look” at Sweat in person.
No trade has been completed, and neither team has confirmed talks are underway. The report, citing unnamed sources, frames Dallas as one of several interested parties rather than a confirmed destination.
What Was Reported
According to Schefter, “there is interest” around the league in Sweat, and the Cowboys specifically are a team to monitor. The timing lines up with Dallas and Arizona facing off in Week 8, a scheduling quirk that let Cowboys decision-makers evaluate Sweat directly rather than relying solely on film, per the report cited by CBS Sports.
Sweat, 29, signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract with Arizona in 2025 free agency after seven seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, who drafted him in the fourth round out of Florida State in 2018. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and helped Philadelphia win Super Bowl LIX, recording 2.5 sacks in that title game against Kansas City. In his first season with the Cardinals, Sweat posted 12 sacks and 17 quarterback hits. Through seven games in 2026, those numbers have dropped to two sacks, four quarterback hits and three tackles for loss, according to CBS Sports.
Sweat reportedly asked Arizona for a trade after the team fired head coach Jonathan Gannon, but the Cardinals front office denied that request, per CBS Sports. Arizona enters Week 8 at 2-5 and in last place in the NFC West, a position that has already pushed the franchise toward selling, including its trade of receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans.
What The Teams Have Said
Neither the Cardinals nor the Cowboys have issued a public statement addressing the Sweat speculation. Sweat has not commented on the possibility of a trade.
Why It Would Matter If Dallas Acquired Sweat
If the Cowboys were to land Sweat, it would address a defense that ranks among the league’s worst in several key categories. Dallas allows 373.7 total yards per game, tied for third-most in the NFL, and gives up 145.7 rushing yards per game, second-most in the league. The Cowboys’ defense also sits last in opponent third-down conversion rate at 52% and ranks 30th in takeaways with just four. Dallas is tied for the fourth-fewest sacks in the league and sits in the bottom 10 in pressures, per CBS Sports figures cited in the report.
Dallas already has edge rushers on the roster, including Rashan Gary, Von Miller, James Houston, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Malachi Lawrence, so any Sweat addition would come as a supplement rather than a need born from an empty depth chart. The Cowboys are considered likely buyers at the deadline, according to Sporting News, with the NFC East considered wide open following a collapse by the Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas has already made one move this season, acquiring cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Sweat’s contract situation could factor into any discussion. Over The Cap lists him with no guaranteed salary beyond the 2026 season, which would give an acquiring team future financial flexibility compared with a player carrying multiple guaranteed years.
What’s Next
The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10. No draft compensation, asking price or timeline for a decision has been reported.
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