Bears predicted to acquire $76 million former Eagles Pro Bowl defender in three-team trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago Bears’ lackluster pass-rushing production in 2025-26 should light a fire under the NFC North franchise entering the 2026-27 season.
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Simply put, Chicago must do a better job of getting into opposing teams’ backfields and regularly applying in-your-face pressure if it wants to be viewed as a serious contender.
A new blockbuster three-team trade proposal would help Chicago improve in that area significantly, as it would land them a former Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl edge rusher who’s been the subject of trade rumors this summer.
“In this hypothetical trade (Josh Sweat to the Bears, Cole Kmet to the Carolina Panthers, and a Bears’ 2027 fourth-round pick and Panthers’ 2027 fourth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals), the Cardinals get solid compensation by sending Sweat to the Chicago Bears and involving the Carolina Panthers.”
“Chicago needs to bolster a pass rush that recorded just 35 sacks last season. The Bears also have a potential trade chip in tight end Cole Kmet, who may no longer have a prominent role with the Bears. He was previously Chicago’s primary receiving tight end, but that role now belongs to Colston Loveland. The Bears also just drafted tight end Sam Roush in the third round.”
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“With Trey McBride already in the fold, though, the Cardinals don’t need a pass-catching tight end. However, the Carolina Panthers do. Tommy Tremble led all Panthers tight ends with just 249 receiving yards last season.”
Sweat’s career took an interesting turn last offseason. After competing with the Eagles for seven seasons and winning a Super Bowl with the organization in 2024-25, the FSU product departed for the Cardinals during free agency.
In Sweat’s first season with Arizona, he topped his previous career high in sacks (11 with the Eagles in 2022-23) with 12 to go along with 30 tackles and one forced fumble.
That said, there’s been speculation that the 29-year-old is already unhappy in his new home, and although NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport shut down the idea of the Cardinals parting ways with him back in June, it could soon change with a near-perfect trade offer.
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The Bears should certainly hope it does, as their lack of star power on the edge is a weakness they must address sooner than later.
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