Trey Hendrickson
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Prior to trading for Micah Parsons, the Packers tried to acquire Trey Hendrickson from the Bengals
The Green Bay Packers will kick off the 2025 campaign with a highly anticipated matchup against the Detroit Lions in Week 1, and the vibes surrounding the team are quite high. After picking up Micah Parsons in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys right before the start of the season, the Packers are believed to be one of the top Super Bowl contenders across the league.
There’s no doubt that the addition of Parsons will take Green Bay’s defense to another level this year, even as he battles a back injury that will reportedly limit his impact in the team’s season-opener on Sunday. According to a recent report, though, Parsons may not have been the Packers’ initial trade target, as the team also made a push for Cincinnati Bengals superstar defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
Packers Pursued Trey Hendrickson Trade Before Landing Micah Parsons
Over the offseason, both Parsons and Hendrickson made it clear they were looking for contract extensions from the Cowboys and Bengals, respectively. It took a while, but both guys eventually got what they wanted. Cincinnati restructured Hendrickson’s deal to give him a $14 million raise for the 2025 season, while Parsons put pen to paper on a four-year, $186 million contract after landing with the Packers.
While Hendrickson stayed put and Parsons got traded, for much of the offseason, it appeared that Hendrickson was more likely to get traded than Parsons. After handing star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins new contracts earlier this offseason, the Bengals did not have much cap space at their disposal. Plus, the Cowboys seemed to be making progress with Parsons on a new deal for much of the offseason.
Instead, Dallas opted to grant Parsons his trade request, with the Packers happily sending a pair of first-round picks and veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark the other way. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, though, Green Bay initially pursued a trade for Hendrickson before landing Parsons.
“The Packers first set their sights on a trade for Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, sources say, before they pulled off the blockbuster trade of the offseason when they acquired star Micah Parsons from the Cowboys,” Rapoport reported. “The Packers are among the teams that called and engaged the most with Cincinnati on a potential trade for Hendrickson this offseason, with an initial offer made for last season’s sack leader.”
Should the Packers Have Traded for Trey Hendrickson Instead of Micah Parsons?
Green Bay Packers edge rusher, Micah Parsons
GettyGreen Bay Packers edge rusher, Micah Parsons
Hendrickson has racked up 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons, making him one of the most productive players at his position in the league. When considering Parsons’ production (52.5 sacks in his first four pro seasons) and the fact that he is only 26 years old, it’s clear he’s a much more desirable player than Hendrickson, who will turn 31 in December.
Both guys are great, but there’s no doubt that the Packers are thrilled to have Parsons on board and locked up for the long-term future. While Parsons is questionable for Green Bay’s Week 1 opener due to his aforementioned back injury, he’s expected to play, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him make an immediate impact for his new squad right out of the gate.