The need for pass-rush help on their defense has been a constant topic of conversation surrounding the Patriots all offseason, linking them to several players who were made available for trade or rumored to be on the trade block.
As we've seen, they didn't make a move on any of them and instead seem confident in their young group after a promising preseason showing.
The problem is that they will be without Harold Landry III to start the season, and his return date is still unknown. Because he was their leading sack artist last season, his absence will surely be felt, which should put them in contention for a trade before this year's deadline.
Among the names they've been connected to over the past few months is Cardinals' Josh Sweat, who reportedly wanted out of Arizona after just one season. Not much has been made of the rumors since, and the latest update from NFL insider Dan Graziano suggests the Cardinals have no intention to trade him.
However, that could change as the season progresses, and that should be enough reason for the Patriots to keep an eye on what goes on out West.
There might still be a pass rush solution for the Patriots to explore this season
Assuming that the Cardinals aren't going to be all that competitive this season, as they have struggled mightily for many years now, it seems fair to assume that Sweat's alleged desire to get out of Arizona will only grow stronger after every loss.
That's something Graziano believes could prompt the team to take trade calls a bit more seriously, and he thinks they'll move him before the deadline if they are already out of contention by October.
It could be when the Patriots get on the phone and make an offer.
"There certainly exists a world in which the Cardinals fall out of contention between now and the trade deadline. There have been several reports this offseason about Sweat being unhappy in Arizona and possibly wanting out.
He has no guaranteed money in his contract beyond this season, and a team that hypothetically trades for him halfway through the season would have to pay him only about $5 million."
Sweat is coming off his career-best season in 2025, recording 30 combined tackles, 13 for a loss, 17 quarterback hits, 2 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 12 sacks in 17 games started.
That's the kind of production the Patriots' defense is currently lacking, with Landry leading the team with just 8.5 sacks last season. With him sidelined and unproven pass rushers taking on bigger roles in his place, more questions remain about what they can do, raising concerns about how productive they will be in the season ahead.
Trading for Sweat would presumably solve a lot of those problems, as long as he can replicate the kind of success he's had throughout his career.
There's a chance he wouldn't be that cheap to acquire, which might turn off the Patriots, but if their defensive line is struggling against some of the best and most mobile quarterbacks in the league, they'll have to do what it takes to make sure they don't start to fall too far behind.
Fortunately, they would figure that out rather quickly and could make a move sooner rather than later. It would depend on how the Cardinals fare and whether they become more receptive to trade calls, and that could be the ultimate holdup for New England.
Hopefully, that won't be the case. Ideally, they won't need to trade for anyone, and then they won't have to worry about this whatsoever. But that doesn't seem likely.
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