Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst didn’t mince words this week, emphatically shooting down a swirling trade rumor that had his team snagging Arizona Cardinals defensive end Josh Sweat. Forget the buzz, folks, because Gutekunst dropped a bombshell that tells you everything you need to know about that potential deal.
“Somebody’s Making Stuff Up” and Nobody’s Ready For It
According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Gutekunst told reporters on Tuesday that the Packers and Cardinals haven’t had *any* trade discussions involving the former Pro Bowler. He didn’t just deny it, he went full blunt force trauma with, “Somebody’s making stuff up.” Talk about a mic drop! This rumor picked up serious steam because Sweat played for Jonathan Gannon when Gannon was the defensive coordinator for the Eagles. Now, Gannon is the defensive coordinator for Green Bay, so naturally, everyone figured a reunion was in the cards. Sweat even had a career-high 12 sacks in 2025, which would make him a huge get for any team looking for an edge rusher. But nope, Gutekunst is slamming the door shut on that idea faster than Sam Darnold can throw a deep ball.
Why the Packers Need Depth, and Who They Have Now
You can see why the trade made so much sense on paper. The Packers need a serious boost at edge rusher because star Micah Parsons is starting the 2026 campaign on the PUP list. That’s a massive hit for their defense right out of the gate! On their initial 53-man roster, Green Bay only kept four edge rushers: Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox Jr., and rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton. So yeah, they absolutely could use some extra depth, especially with Parsons out. Sweat is under contract with the Cardinals through 2028, so he wasn’t going to be cheap, but that kind of production could be game-changing.
For now, though, it looks like Sweat isn’t on Gutekunst’s radar as the 2026 season kicks off. The GM made his stance crystal clear: no trade talks, no interest, just rumors. So, while the Packers are clearly looking for answers at edge rusher, they’ll have to find them elsewhere. We’re all watching to see what move Gutekunst makes next to bolster that defense before the real games begin!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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