Arizona Cardinals' Josh Sweat Expresses Discontent During Offseason

The Arizona Cardinals wrapped up their voluntary offseason training activities (OTAs) this week, but the absence of outside linebacker Josh Sweat has raised eyebrows. After a standout season where he recorded 12 sacks in 2025, Sweat signed a lucrative four-year contract worth $76.4 million during free agency. Despite the investment, reports indicate that the Cardinals are not considering trading him, yet there are growing concerns among fans about his current dissatisfaction.

ESPN's Dan Graziano noted that Sweat's unhappiness has been a topic of discussion, as he is one of several players being considered trade candidates. His absence from the offseason program has made it clear that he is not content with his situation in Arizona. The reasons behind his discontent could be linked to the firing of head coach Jonathan Gannon or the stark contrast between his expectations of joining a playoff-contending team and the reality of a three-win season ahead in 2026.

This predicament places the Cardinals in a challenging position. As their top pass rusher, losing Sweat would significantly weaken their defense, particularly since they did not make any offseason moves to bolster the linebacker position. While trading him may not be financially feasible, retaining an unhappy player poses its own set of complications. New head coach Mike LaFleur faces the difficulty of managing team dynamics while keeping a valuable player who is dissatisfied.

The situation is compounded by other ongoing issues within the team, such as Jacoby Brissett's contract negotiations, adding to the drama that the Cardinals would prefer to avoid. For more insights and updates on the Cardinals and the NFL, fans can tune into the latest episodes of the Rise Up, See Red podcast available on multiple platforms.