The Detroit Lions have built a defense anchored by star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. That defense, when healthy, has been good but not great. To take the next step toward a Super Bowl, they need to add some more assurances. They need to get after the passer. Adding another proven pass-rush threat is the answer. While they could sit back and take an edge rusher at pick #17 or #50, I would like to present an alternate option. An option that wouldn’t require developmental runway or the risk of a prospect not panning out.
Enter Josh Sweat, the Arizona Cardinals’ productive edge defender who just delivered a career-best 2025 season. A potential trade for Sweat could give the Lions arguably the league’s most dangerous pass-rush duo, Hutchinson and Sweat, while fitting surprisingly well under Detroit’s 2026 salary cap constraints. Here’s why this move makes sense for both sides, how the finances could work in the Lions’ favor, and what it might cost in draft capital.
*Before we dive in, remember that all data cited in this section is provided exclusively by Fantasy Points Data Suite.
What would Josh Sweat bring to the Lions?
Sweat is an accomplished pass-rush specialist with a distinct ability to win one-on-ones. He has advanced technical skills and power. Everything starts with his hand usage and initial pop; from there, he works into an advanced pass-rush move set. He has a variety of power-driven moves that help him win the outside shoulder of the tackle, soften the corner, and flatten to the QB. He uses an array of swipes and chops in conjunction with a heavy club to win. He has counters and secondary moves off of those and mixes in a nasty euro step to ensure he gets “half man” and can off-tempo short-sets.
He has an excellent first step and is capable of shooting inside gaps effectively. He has the lateral ability to be uber effective on stunts and twists.
Sweat was also able to dabble with some alignment versatility last year as he lined up all over the Cardinals’ front. Traditionally, Sweat had been a heavy right-sided rusher that was most comfortable from a two-point stance. In 2025, however, Sweat got to rush from both sides equally and put his hand in the dirt a bunch. He even kicked inside to 3T, 4i, and 5T alignments on some obvious pass downs—a skill set we know the Lions will implement.
Sweat has been a productive player for a long time, but 2025 was perhaps his best season as the Cardinals’ number one pass rusher. He had high-quality wins against several high-quality opponents, including Charles Cross, Trent Williams, Elgton Jenkins, and Ikem Ekonwu.
While the crowning jewel of Sweat’s game is definitely as a pass-rusher, it’s worth noting he is not a net zero as a run defender. More importantly, his overall skill set pairs well with newly signed EDGE DJ Wonnum, who is more of a run-down specialist.
Bottom line: Aidan Hutchinson and Josh Sweat would arguably be the best pass-rush duo in the league.
Can the Lions afford Josh Sweat?
To make a long story short, yes. Last offseason, Sweat signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract with $38 million fully guaranteed at signing. The structure of the contract is interesting, however, and makes moving said contract easier than expected.
There was a $7.22 million dollar option bonus Arizona had to pick up shortly after the new league year began. The cash value of that option bonus gets paid out immediately, while the cap hit for that bonus gets spread out over the course of the contract, including a 2029 void year.
For the Lions, all this means is that the 2026 cap hit for Sweat (if they acquire him) would be just $10.88 million. A massive bargain for the level of services Sweat provides. The Lions currently have roughly $23 million in 2026 cap space.
The tricky part of the finances would be squaring $18 million cap hits in 2027 and 2028. However, it is still cheap for what Sweat brings to the table. It’s not a secret the Lions have been penny pinching, though, so it’s possible this isn’t satisfactory for them. The cherry on top is that those two cap hits come in the form of $17 million in base salary per year. Heavy base salary figures allow for restructuring opportunities where that salary can easily be converted into a prorated signing bonus and amortized across the life of the contract, plus void years. They could dump a large portion of those cap hits into the future, if needed.
Now, you might ask why the Cardinals might do this. After all, they have already paid out a huge chunk of the contract’s cash responsibility, and moving Sweat before June 1st would incur a $22 million dead cap penalty ($5 million cap adjustment in 2026).
Despite those facts, moving him would still save the Cardinals $10.8 million in cash and fetch them valuable picks to help kickstart this rebuild. The best course of action for the Cardinals is to live in reality, and the reality is they are currently in the cellar of the strongest division in football, with a rookie head coach and the combination of Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew to lead them at the most important position in the league.
What would the Lions potentially have to send back to the Cardinals for Sweat?
I look at the Rashan Gary trade from Green Bay to Dallas as a starting framework. For a refresher, Gary was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth round pick in the 2027 draft.
Here is why that is my starting point. Gary is the same age as Sweat and was also in the middle of a big, four-year contract (four years, $96M). Their production from an advanced analytics standpoint is also eerily similar. Take a look at their 2025 regular season metrics:
Gary: 54 total pressures, 19.5 sacks + QB hits (7.5 sacks), 12.1% win rate
Sweat: 48 total pressures, 18 sacks + QB hits (12 sacks), 15.3% win rate
I am not delusional, though, and am aware that at this stage of their career, Gary is probably considered a depreciating asset whose best work is done against the run. While Sweat, on the other hand, is at least maintaining his market value. With that said, I think the Lions could potentially get a deal done by upgrading the 2027 fourth-round pick to a 2026 fourth-round pick and adding another pick, likely a 2027 fifth-round pick. Here is the full deal.
Detroit sends: 2026 fourth (pick 118), and a 2027 fifth
Arizona sends: EDGE Josh Sweat
Lastly, and maybe the deal breaker for some: The Lions acquiring any player on a big-time contract will likely cost them one of their own in the future. What if this trade costs them the ability to re-sign a player like Sam LaPorta in the long run? For my money, I am still all the way in. Where do you stand?
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