The Packers nearly landed another stud edge rusher before acquiring Micah Parsons from the Cowboys.
Green Bay first held talks with the Bengals about 2024 NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson before the four-time Pro Bowl defensive end agreed in August to a reworked contract worth $29 million for this season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who went to Dallas with two first-round picks in last month’s Parsons blockbuster, also was discussed in a potential trade with Cincinnati for Hendrickson.
A 2017 third-round pick, Hendrickson has registered 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons and 77 over his eight-year career with the Saints and the Bengals.
He was given permission by the Bengals to seek a trade ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft in April.
Upon acquiring Parsons on Aug. 28, Green Bay signed the four-time Pro Bowler to a four-year extension worth $188 million with $136 million guaranteed.
The Packers will open their 2025 season Sunday against the Lions at Lambeau Field, while the Bengals will face the Browns in Cleveland.
Parsons, 26, will make his Packers debut in Week 1 against Detroit but is expected to be limited due to a back injury, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“I just got plenty of faith that this great training staff and the coaches are slowly getting me the plays and getting me things that I need if we decide to give me the green light out there,” Parsons said Thursday, according to ESPN.
Kickoff between Green Bay and Detroit is set for 4:25 p.m.