Ossenfort Rejects Josh Sweat Trade Rumors Following 12-Sack Campaign

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort confirmed the team has no plans to trade Josh Sweat, who is currently recovering from a knee injury after a career-high 2025 season.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort confirmed on August 10, 2026, that the franchise has no intention of trading edge rusher Josh Sweat. This definitive stance follows a 2025 season where the veteran defender recorded a career-high 12 sacks, leading the team's pass rush. Despite persistent speculation throughout the summer months regarding a potential departure, the front office has prioritized retaining the productive lineman for the upcoming schedule. Ossenfort addressed the media to clarify that the organization is excited about the player's future in Glendale.

Key details

Sweat is currently designated on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, a status established immediately upon his arrival at training camp in July. The edge rusher has not participated in any on-field activities this offseason, missing the entirety of voluntary organized team activities and the mandatory minicamp held in June. His absence is attributed to a knee injury that required a focused rehabilitation program throughout the spring and summer. The team has monitored his progress closely as he works toward a return to the active roster.

Head coach Mike LaFleur has expressed zero concern regarding the defender's availability for the regular season opener. Throughout the training camp cycle, LaFleur has maintained that the coaching staff is comfortable with the timeline provided by the medical team. The 12-sack producer is reportedly making significant strides in his recovery, with Ossenfort noting that the player is getting closer to full health every day. The front office expects him to be a primary contributor once he is cleared for contact.

Internal discussions regarding the player's contract or trade inquiries remain confidential, though Ossenfort was transparent about the team's desire to keep their top pass rusher. The GM emphasized that the external noise surrounding a possible move did not reflect the team's internal strategy. Sweat’s 2025 performance established him as a cornerstone of the defensive unit, making him a difficult asset to replace in the current market. The Cardinals are banking on his ability to replicate that double-digit sack production once he exits the PUP list.

Latest developments

Josh Weinfuss, who has covered the Arizona Cardinals for ESPN since 2012, reported that the team is focusing on the long-term health of their star defender. As a graduate of Indiana University and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America, Weinfuss noted that the organization’s commitment remains steadfast despite the player's absence from the practice field. The focus remains on the season opener, with the expectation that the knee injury will not prevent him from participating in the first game of the year.

During the 2025 campaign, Sweat's 12 sacks represented a personal best, surpassing all previous totals in his professional career. This statistical leap made him a subject of league-wide interest, yet the Cardinals have rebuffed all suggestions of a roster move. The team’s defensive scheme relies heavily on the pressure generated from the edge, a role Sweat filled with high efficiency last fall. Ossenfort’s Monday announcement serves to stabilize the locker room as the preseason progresses.

The rehabilitation process continues behind closed doors at the team's training facility. While the defender has not yet donned a helmet for the 2026 sessions, his presence in the building for meetings and film study has been noted. The coaching staff is preparing the defensive playbook with the assumption that the veteran will be anchoring the line. The transition from the PUP list to the active 53-man roster is the final hurdle remaining for the standout pass rusher before the regular season kicks off.