Cowboys Trade Rumors Swirl: Does $76 Million Edge Josh Sweat 'Fit'?

Over the past months, the Dallas Cowboys have repeatedly been mentioned as a trade landing spot for a big-time pass-rusher like Arizona Cardinals EDGE Josh Sweat.

Reportedly upset with the fact that head coach Jonathan Gannon got fired - Sweat left the Eagles to sign with the Cardinals in part because of his connection with the coach - there was a thought that for the right price, Sweat could be available.

This came on the heels of Dallas' sincere efforts to pry Maxx Crosby from the Raiders.

And yes, Sweat would represent a solid consolation prize there.

And now, even though the Cowboys are a humble 2-4, tongues are again wagging as rookie coordinator Christian Parker's defense is coming up shy in the sack department.

The Cowboys have seven sacks; 16 NFL teams have at least twice that many.

Sweat, who has two of Arizona's eight sacks - no, the Cardinals aren't exactly tearing it up in this department, either - previously worked with Parker in Philadelphia.

So he could be fit.

But over the summer, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport sent out a post on X regarding Sweat meant to put to bed the rumors.

"This has gained some steam on social media, so just to provide some clarity: #AZCardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat is not being traded. ..Carry on…"

Of course, that was then. This is now.

And the rumors are back to swirling, with ESPN's Jeremy Fowler connecting Sweat to Dallas.

He writes, "The Cowboys might have one more move in them. ... As one team exec pointed out to me Tuesday, Josh Sweat to Dallas makes a lot of sense. He fits Dallas' profile, and the Cowboys need edge-rush help.''

One argument against this is the idea that the Cowboys aren't good enough to be buyers. To counter that? Hey, there is value in a playoff berth - even if it doesn't seem at 2-4 like this club is worthy.

And owner Jerry Jones - a "dangerous old man with money,'' in his words - swears he remains a believer in what this team can accomplish this year.

Sweat, 29, is not the perfect player. Like Crosby, he's had his knee issues. Unlike some other "names,'' he's not a
"sack machine''; now in his ninth season, he's only hit double-digits in sacks twice. And he's pricy, as he signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract in 2025 (though there might be future escapability there).

There is also the question of the trade cost. Could Dallas get away with giving up just a mid-round pick because Arizona might want to get out from under his contract?

Assuming it doesn't cost a premium pick, we can see Parker pushing for this idea ... which is enough to justify a change in the direction of those swirling rumors.