The Detroit Lions seem to have found another gear. However, their defense still needs a reliable way to make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable. Aidan Hutchinson remains the headliner. That said, asking one edge rusher to carry the pass rush alone is a risky formula. Enter Arizona Cardinals defensive end Josh Sweat. He could give Detroit the kind of complementary weapon that turns a good defensive front into a genuinely frightening one. General manager Brad Holmes should at least explore the price.
Another edge threat
Detroit's 2026 campaign has been defined by resilience and physicality. The Lions have a 4-2 record in a competitive NFC North. After splitting their first four games, they delivered a 45-21 road win over Arizona before surviving a tense divisional showdown against Green Bay. Jake Bates' walk-off 22-yard field goal secured a 20-17 victory over the Packers. That gave Detroit back-to-back wins and valuable momentum heading into a pivotal stretch.
The Lions' upcoming schedule will demand more from their defense, though. Hutchinson remains a game-wrecker, of course. Still, opponents can devote extra protection to him when the rush from the opposite edge fails to consistently arrive. That creates cleaner pockets, gives quarterbacks more time to attack the perimeter, and places greater pressure on the secondary. Detroit needs another proven pass rusher to punish offenses for overcommitting to Hutchinson.
Targeting Josh Sweat
Sweat is an intriguing fit. He brings both production and a complementary skill set. After winning a Super Bowl with Philadelphia, he signed a four-year contract with Arizona and delivered 12 sacks in his first season with the Cardinals. He also recorded 17 quarterback hits and 13 tackles for loss.
His 2026 production has dipped, though. He currently has just two sacks through seven games, so Detroit should not treat him as a guaranteed instant fix. Sweat's contract situation also deserves scrutiny. He is reportedly seeking a new deal, although he publicly denied telling anyone that he wanted one. Any trade would require Detroit to evaluate his current performance, long-term cost, and potential contract expectations.
Still, the football fit is compelling. Placing Sweat opposite Hutchinson would force offensive coordinators to make an uncomfortable choice. They can slide protection toward one elite edge threat and leave the other with more favorable one-on-one opportunities. That could help Detroit generate pressure with four rushers. It can also make life easier for the Lions' defense.
Ideal trade package
Holmes should approach Arizona with an offer centered on a 2027 third-round pick and a conditional 2027 fifth-round selection. The latter can escalate if Sweat reaches agreed-upon sack or playing-time thresholds. Detroit could also include offensive tackle Larry Borom if the Cardinals value immediate offensive-line depth.
For Arizona, the proposal would deliver a valuable draft selection and another opportunity to strengthen its roster for the future. The conditional pick adds upside without requiring Detroit to surrender a premium selection immediately. Borom, who joined the Lions in 2026, has experience at tackle and could offer useful depth. His inclusion would depend on Arizona's needs and Detroit's willingness to thin its own offensive-line rotation.
The Cardinals would have to weigh those assets against losing a productive veteran. Sweat is under contract through 2028. His deal contains no guaranteed money in its final two seasons. That makes the longer-term financial picture more flexible than the headline contract suggests. That could make a trade more appealing if Arizona prioritizes future draft capital over retaining him.
Detroit should nevertheless set a firm ceiling. A third-rounder is a meaningful investment. The Lions should not automatically add another high pick simply because Sweat fills a clear need. The conditional fifth-rounder offers a reasonable compromise: Arizona gets additional value if the pass rusher delivers. Meanwhile, Detroit protects itself if the move does not produce the expected impact.
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There is no guarantee that Sweat will rediscover his best form. Detroit has other roster needs to manage, too. Still, the Lions should pursue a targeted upgrade rather than wait for the pass rush to fix itself.
A third-round pick, a conditional fifth-rounder, and potentially Borom would give Arizona a credible package. It would also preserve Detroit's most valuable draft assets. More importantly, Sweat could help ensure that Hutchinson no longer has to win every critical matchup alone.
For the Lions making a deeper postseason run means they need a defense capable of finishing drives against elite quarterbacks. If Arizona opens the door, Holmes should make the call. Sweat could be the missing piece that gives Detroit's pass rush a new dimension.