After aggressive offseason upgrades, Dallas could target Arizona’s sack specialist to fix a regressing pass rush and solidify a revamped defense eyeing a deep NFC playoff run.
The Dallas Cowboys have spent much of the 2026 offseason reshaping their defense. Trades, draft picks and free-agent additions have changed the look of a unit that struggled in key areas last season. But according to some recent - maybe overly hopeful - reports, there is a chance Dallas may not be finished.
Multiple outlets are virtually begging "America's Team'' to get itself linked to Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat.
And this we cannot deny: He could be the boost they need to fix their ailing pass rush - the kind of player other teams have to game-plan for.
Dallas traded for Green Bay's Rashan Gary back in March, and they also drafted UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence in the first round of the NFL Draft, who will work behind another youngster with promise in Donovan Ezeiruaku.
But with how much their defensive front regressed this past season, adding another guy like Sweat could be something for the team to heavily consider.
The 6-5, 265-pound Sweat racked up a career-high 12 sacks with Arizona last season, as well as 13 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles.
And he's got an "angel in the building'' at The Star, as he previously played for the Philadelphia Eagles while Christian Parker was on that staff.
Yes, the same Parker who is now Dallas' defensive coordinator.
The Cowboys have already shown they are willing to be aggressive. Trading for Gary and investing heavily in defensive reinforcements suggests Dallas understands improvement on that side of the ball remains a priority.
But ...
There’s also the possibility that the Cowboys believe their current upgraded group on defense is enough. First-round safety Caleb Downs is expected to play a major role immediately, while Lawrence could become an impact pass rusher earlier than expected.
Internal development may be viewed as the answer rather than another outside addition. ... especially when we look at the money involved with the 29-year-old Sweat.
He's disgruntled there now, apparently, in part because the Cardinals fired head coach Jonathan Gannon, who lured him to the desert via free agency when the standout pass-rusher signed a four-year, $76 million contract to go to Arizona.
Does Cowboys owner Jerry Jones want to foot the bill for a $76 mil addition?
Money aside, the recommendation highlights an important reality: Dallas may not be done building. Or, we might say more forcefully ... shouldn't be done building.
Before parting ways with Micah Parsons, the Cowboys were third in the league in sacks, but they dropped all the way to ninth-worst in the league in 2025. Needless to say, that kind of a drop is definitely something that needed to be addressed.
The Cowboys have been one of the NFL’s busiest teams this offseason, and expectations will rise because of it. If management truly believes this roster can contend in the NFC, making one more aggressive move for proven pass-rush help may not be as unrealistic as it sounds.
Whether that move ends up being Josh Sweat or another veteran defender, outside observers still see room for Dallas to add another piece before the regular season begins. For a franchise with playoff expectations every year, standing still feels like a non-option.
