The Green Bay Packers rocked the NFL landscape when they acquired Micah Parsons in a massive trade with the Dallas Cowboys shortly before last season, but things did not go according to plan.
Parsons was brilliant for the Packers through the first two-plus months of 2025, but suffered a torn ACL in Week 15, putting an end to his season and placing 2026 in jeopardy.
The five-time Pro Bowler has already stated that he won’t be ready until October at the earliest, which certainly isn’t great news for a Green Bay squad with a very thin pass rush. Not only is Parsons sidelined, but the Packers traded Rashan Gary, and Lukas Van Ness has been a significant disappointment.
So where does Green Bay go from here?
While there has been speculation that the Packers could potentially sign a veteran like Jadeveon Clowney or Joey Bosa, Bill Huber of Packers On SI has reported that Green Bay could be interested in a blockbuster trade to try and replace Parsons with one particular player: Arizona Cardinals star Josh Sweat.
“A source thought Sweat could be available at the trade deadline if Mike LaFleur’s team struggles out of the gates, which is the expectation,” Huber wrote. “By that time, though, Parsons will be back or close to it and the Packers might not need pass-rush help.”
Sweat expressed his displeasure with the Cardinals before the team’s offseason program, which had some wondering if Arizona would move the edge rusher one year after signing however.
Sweat and the Cardinals appear to be full speed ahead for now, although you do have to wonder if things could change if an enticing offer were presented.
The 29-year-old racked up 30 tackles, 12 sacks and four forced fumbles last season, so he would definitely comprise a terrific player to have in Parsons’ stead.
But would the Packers be willing to pay the price?
Sweat inked a four-year, $76.4 million contract with Arizona in March 2025. While the remaining money on his deal might make him cheaper from a draft capital perspective, Green Bay typically doesn’t like to swing such blockbuster deals — unless it’s for a generational talent like Parsons.
Perhaps the Packers would be better off just signing Clowney to a one-year pact.
