GLENDALE – The announcement of the 2026 Pro Bowl roster is a celebratory time for NFL players, especially for the Arizona Cardinals who had two members make the list. Tight end Trey McBride and safety Budda Baker will return to San Francisco, California to participate in the Pro Bowl flag football game. However, a glaring name was absent from the roster for Arizona: edge rusher Josh Sweat.
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Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat (10) celebrates after a sack in the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Sweat absent from 2026 Pro Bowl:
Sweat was named an alternate, meaning if anyone at his position group drops out he’ll be inserted. Regardless, he had all the qualifiers to be voted onto the roster. The 28-year-old signed a massive $70+ million deal with the Cardinals this past offseason in hopes to make his second Pro Bowl appearance. In his first season in the Valley, Sweat has 11 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles.
Oct 12, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) passes the ball under pressure from Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Josh Sweat (10) during the second quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Sweat has ninth most sacks in the NFL and is first in forced fumbles. The three outside linebacker to steal his spot was New York Giants’ Brian Burns and Los Angeles Rams’ Jared Verse and Byron Young. Burns is a no-brainer, but Young has the same amount of sacks as Sweat and Verse only has 6.5 on the season.
Depending on injuries and the Super Bowl matchup, Sweat could still find his way onto the roster, but it’ll take some luck on his part despite the stellar 2025 campaign he’s put together.
Cardinals’ Baker, McBride earn Pro Bowl selections as leadership and rising talent emerge
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
