Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort says he has “no interest” in trading Josh Sweat as knee issue is monitored

The Arizona Cardinals have drawn a line under any early trade speculation involving outside linebacker Josh Sweat. General manager Monti Ossenfort said the team has “no interest in trading Josh Sweat,” even as Sweat is still being managed on the active/physically unable to perform list because of a knee issue.

The decision keeps the Cardinals’ pass-rush plan relatively stable while they evaluate how Sweat progresses through the final stretch of the preseason. Being on the active/physically unable to perform list indicates that the organization is treating the injury as something to monitor closely, rather than something that has already been resolved for regular-season workload.

Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur has also addressed the situation publicly, repeatedly stating he is not worried about Sweat’s availability for the team’s Sept. 13 opener. In practical terms, that is the clearest internal timeline the organization has offered so far: Sweat’s participation may be limited in the short term, but the coaching staff expects him to be able to contribute early in the season.

Ossenfort’s comments underscore the front office’s view that Sweat’s value to the roster is not in jeopardy. At this point, the Cardinals appear to be prioritizing patience and a return-to-play approach over changing course through a trade, even if league-wide roster flexibility can make such conversations common during the late summer window.

For a defense that relies on edge pressure to disrupt passing timing, the presence of an established outside rusher matters beyond the numbers. Sweat’s role is typically tied to creating one-on-one matchups and forcing quarterbacks to make quicker decisions, and the Cardinals’ management seems to believe those strengths remain part of their identity once the knee issue is worked through.

What to watch next is how Arizona handles Sweat’s practice workload and whether his knee status moves off the active/physically unable to perform designation in a way that allows a normal week-to-week progression. If LaFleur’s confidence holds, the Cardinals’ opener preparation could proceed without major schematic alterations at the edge, with the coaching staff able to plan around Sweat’s expected snap distribution rather than a temporary replacement plan.

If the timeline shifts or setbacks occur, the Cardinals may need to revisit how they cover the edge in the season’s first weeks. But as of now, their stated stance is clear, no trade, continued monitoring, and an emphasis on getting Sweat ready for the regular-season kickoff.