A midseason trade rumor involving Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat has taken a new turn, with one national writer arguing the Chicago Bears make more sense as a landing spot than the San Francisco 49ers.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox laid out that scenario Friday, projecting Sweat to Chicago for a conditional 2027 fourth-round pick if Arizona’s season goes south.
“Arizona will likely change its stance on trading players if and when it becomes clear that it can’t contend in 2026—or if it becomes obvious that rookie quarterback Carson Beck isn’t a franchise savior,” Knox wrote.
“Sweat will turn 30 next offseason and looms as a potential 2027 cap casualty. Moving him for quality draft capital would make sense.”
Knox’s pitch is straightforward. The Bears already have Montez Sweat on one side and still need a steadier presence on the other.
“Giving up a conditional pick that could become a Day-2 selection for Sweat would be logical for a contender like the Chicago Bears,” Knox wrote. “Chicago still needs a consistent edge presence opposite Montez Sweat, and it could acquire one by doing a deal with the Cardinals.”
Sweat gave Arizona a productive first year after signing there. He played 540 defensive snaps last season and earned a 74.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
He finished with 47 pressures, 12 sacks, 29 hurries and six quarterback hits. He also forced three fumbles and recorded 20 stops along with 11 solo tackles.
Those numbers explain why his name keeps coming up. Teams that expect to contend in November will look for pass-rush help, and Sweat is a known commodity on a club that may be rebuilding.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote Sept. 2 that the Cardinals have no plans to trade him right now. That message could change if Arizona is under .500 when the deadline nears.
Interested clubs may simply wait. Front offices often hold their cards until the standings make a seller’s market obvious.
San Francisco has been part of the conversation because the 49ers may need another rusher if they are still in the mix later this fall. KNBR’s Larry Krueger made that case late last month.
“They need one more [pass rusher],” Krueger said. “You’ve got five edge rushers, Bosa, [Sam Okuayinonu], [Keion White], Romello Height and Ogbo Okoronkwo, right now, but I think you probably need one more big-time rusher.
“I think they ought to make a big play for Josh Sweat. I think they should be calling [Cardinals general manager] Monti Ossenfort every day, all day, saying, you want [Kurtis Rourke]? You want [Alfred Collins]? You want 2027 draft capital? Let’s talk.”
Any deal with San Francisco would carry an extra wrinkle. The 49ers and Cardinals share the NFC West, and Arizona might prefer to ship Sweat out of the division.
A stronger offer from the 49ers could still force the issue. General managers have moved players inside a division before when the return was clearly better.
For now, nothing is imminent. The regular season is just getting underway, and Arizona has said it wants Sweat on the field.
That stance is common in September. It often looks different in late October if the losses pile up and a 29-year-old rusher is heading toward a possible cap conversation the following spring.
Chicago, San Francisco and any other club that needs a veteran edge will keep watching the Cardinals’ record. The next two months will decide whether Sweat stays put or becomes one of the deadline’s more discussed names.
