The Dallas Cowboys’ season hit another alarming low point on Thursday Night Football following a embarrassing 24-16 home loss to a previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers squad led by an undrafted rookie quarterback. As pressure mounts across Arlington, general manager Jerry Jones is reportedly preparing to swing another major trade—with Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl pass rusher Josh Sweat emerging as the marquee target.
Dallas continues to feel the defensive void left by the departure of Micah Parsons to Green Bay. Through five games, the Cowboys have generated a meager five total sacks—with one coming from rookie secondary star Caleb Downs. Lacking a disruptive edge presence to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks, the Cowboys are eyeing Sweat to salvage their collapsing front seven.
Insider: Discontent Growing in Arizona as Cowboys Positioned to Strike
Sweat, a 2021 Pro Bowler who produced a career-high 12 sacks for the Cardinals last season, has seen his relationship with Arizona deteriorate following an offseason knee procedure and the firing of former head coach Jonathan Gannon.
Reporting for Casino.org, NFL insider Jason La Canfora confirmed that multiple league executives view Dallas as a prime trade partner for the disgruntled 29-year-old edge defender:
“Multiple personnel executives believe the Cowboys are well positioned to do business with the Cardinals,” La Canfora reported. “Arizona edge rusher Josh Sweat has wanted out of there since Jonathan Gannon was fired as head coach at the end of last season. The drumbeat about his discontent is getting louder.”
Despite entering the 2026 campaign with no guaranteed money left beyond this season, Sweat represents a proven, high-end pass rusher capable of immediately transforming a defense. With Arizona signaling an aggressive seller’s mindset ahead of the November trade deadline, a deal between both franchises could materialize rapidly.
Should Jerry Jones Pull the Trigger?
Having already surrendered significant draft capital to acquire cornerback Joey Porter Jr., Jerry Jones faces a high-stakes dilemma.
While spending premium draft capital on a 2-3 team plagued by fundamental coaching and tackling breakdowns carries real financial and asset risk, Jones has rarely hesitated to go all-in when the pressure mounts. Pairing Sweat alongside newly appointed senior assistant Mike Pettine’s 3-4 defensive concepts could provide the exact spark required to save the Cowboys’ season before the NFC playoff window closes.
