If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >

Live

NFL trade rumors tracker: Latest news on Micah Parsons, Terry McLaurin, Trey Hendrickson amid contract disputes

Daniel Mader

•
NFL trade rumors tracker: Latest news on Micah Parsons, Terry McLaurin, Trey Hendrickson amid contract disputes image

The 2025 NFL season may be just days away, but three star-level players have still faced uncertain futures.

Throughout the offseason, the Cowboys' Micah Parsons, the Commanders' Terry McLaurin and the Bengals' Trey Hendrickson were all known to be among the next stars to potentially earn their next payday. Each of those players has been seeking a new deal since the 2024 season came to a close, but with the new season about to be underway, just one of them still hasn't gotten one.

McLaurin finally settled on a three-year deal with Washington, then Hendrickson, Cincinnati's elite pass rusher, also agreed to a revised one-year contract with the Bengals after requesting a trade months ago. Parsons, Dallas' superstar defender, submitted a request to be dealt as as well, but his squad has failed to sign him to an extension to this point unlike McLaurin and Hendrickson, whose dramatic holdouts are now over.

📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

While NFL trade requests rarely pan out as actual deals, Parsons is the lone remaining star who will likely either sign an extension or be dealt by Week 1. What lies in store for the Cowboys pass rusher? 

The Sporting News is tracking the latest trade rumors on Micah Parsons, as well as the full offseason timeline on McLaurin and Hendrickson's situations, as each has gone through a high-profile contract dispute. Follow along below with the latest reports about each star player.

MORE: NFL preseason power rankings, from the Eagles to the Saints

Micah Parsons trade rumors tracker

Cowboys listening to trade offers for Parsons, want resolution in next few days

Schefter reports that "several" teams have spoken to the Cowboys about a potential deal, and for the first time it sounds like they are listening. The other important piece of Schefter's reporting is that with the Cowboys opening against the Eagles in a week (from the time of the report), Dallas wants a resolution one way or the other in the coming days. 

Parsons previously filed grievance about 2025 salary

While Parsons' current issue with the Cowboys stems from his desires for a lucrative extension, that reportedly isn't the only financial sticking point between he and the team lately. Per Florio, Parsons filed a grievance regarding his 2025 salary earlier this year that involves a discrepancy with the details of his fifth-year option, which he is playing on in 2025.

Dallas has Parsons' salary as $21.324 million, a number that stems from the team listing him as a defensive end. However, Parsons believes his salary should be $24 million, considering himself a linebacker. The NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement says that a player's fifth-year option will be calculated based on the position “at which the [player] participated in the most plays during his third League Year.” The Cowboys have Parsons listed at the cheaper position of his two, defensive end, despite him earning plenty of official accolades as a linebacker.

So, that means that in order to settle the grievance, there will have to be a review of whether Parsons played linebacker or defensive end more in his third NFL season, which could be fairly complicated. The star's versatility has been a significant positive throughout his career, but now it's a reason that he has to seek an additional $2.676 million from Dallas.

The fifth-year salary grievance is yet another point of contention between Parsons and the Cowboys.

Micah Parsons connected to Packers in rumors 

  • Date: August 26
  • Source: Various rumors

While it's important to note that no top NFL insiders have yet reported any traction being made on a Parsons trade, there have been a few rumors connecting the star pass rusher to the Packers on Tuesday night.

One X account with over 50,000 followers, @RickyScoops, shared that the Packers have a "trade on the table" for Parsons with a new contract, but it's unknown how reliable that source should be considered. That wasn't the end of the buzz though, as some fans speculated that a tweet from star media personality Kay Adams, which only read "you guys," was about a potential incoming Parsons deal.

Additionally, some fans have read into Parsons' following on social media, including him following Packers LT Rasheed Walker and DT Rashan Gary on Instagram. And finally, the last interesting tidbit came from a former Packer, John Kuhn, who played fullback for the team from 2007-15.

Kuhn, who is now an analyst for the Packers TV Network, posted on X simply: "Micah Freaking Parsons."

None of those rumors should be yet taken as true indications that Parsons will be traded at all, but they are certainly signs that buzz is picking up around the star as Week 1 inches closer. Should one of the NFL's leading insiders provide more clarity on any Parsons-Packers connections, there would be more reason to trust the rumors.

Brian Schottenheimer remains confident in Parsons' Week 1 status

New Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer remains confident that Parsons will be playing in the team's season opener against Philadelphia on Sept. 4. When asked if Parsons would practice ahead of that game, the head coach said "it’s different for everybody."

"The fact that he’s been here gives him a little bit of a leg up on the fact that he knows the defense. That could be a completely different story if he wasn’t here," Schottenheimer said, per The Athletic. “At the end of the day, we want him out there as soon as possible. When he’s feeling up to it and all those things is a big factor into it."

"Every day that he can get out there and get reps would be great, but I do think very strongly that him being around, doing the walk-throughs, does help. There’s communication, there’s signals that come from the sideline, there’s communication from player to player. He’s getting all those things."

Schottenheimer added that he and Parsons recently had a long conversation, choosing to keep the details private but noting that Parsons did not assure him he'd be returning to practice. The pass rusher is considered medically cleared to practice. Additionally, if and when Parsons is back playing for the team, he'd likely be on a "ramp-up plan," rather than being out for every play.

Parsons' back MRI came back 'pretty clean', according to Cowboys HC Schottenheimer

Parsons has dealt with a minor back injury in recent weeks. Trevon Diggs told reporters Parsons underwent an MRI on Friday. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters that Parsons' scan came back fairly clean. His absence from Friday's match seemed to have more to do with an ongoing stalemate between him and Dallas' front office over a new contract. 

Parsons goes viral for training table antics in Cowboys' final preseason game

  • Date: August 22
  • Source: Jon Machota

When a player is subjected to trade rumors, every action of theirs is scrutinized. Parsons is no exception. If looks could kill, the image of Parsons lying in repose on a training table — seemingly overcome with disinterest — would be a fatal one. Then again, how interested can one be in the final week of preseason?

Falcons fan calls on Parsons to join Atlanta, Parsons responds with humorous phone gesture

Parsons arrived at AT&T Stadium for the Cowboys' final preseason game, a matchup with the Falcons. He was greeted by an Atlanta fan on tour who pleaded with Parsons to join the Falcons. Parsons responded with a phone gesture while walking towards the locker room. That is sure to go over well with Atlanta supporters.

Cowboys unwilling to speak to Parsons' agent, says The Athletic's Diana Russini

Parsons appears willing to enter negotiations with Dallas. However, the Cowboys' brass is unwilling to talk to Parsons' agent, per Russini. At present, it's unclear how Parsons would negotiate a new deal with his longtime employers if the team avoids speaking with his agent. 

Brian Schottenheimer says he feels good about Parsons' status for Week 1

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Wednesday that he feels good "that Micah will be out there against the Philadelphia Eagles" on Sept. 4 for the team's season-opener. 

There have been no further indications that progress has been made in contract talks between Parsons and the Cowboys, but the first-year head coach indicated his confidence in Parsons still playing in Week 1. 

Micah Parsons and Cowboys tracking toward 'a divorce'

On his "The Pat McAfee Show" appearance Tuesday, Schefter said that things can always change, but at the time, "it feels more likely that Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys are heading towards a divorce" than being able to mend their situation together.

Schefter noted that Jerry Jones previously "thought he had the framework of a deal done with Micah but Micah didn't feel that way," and the Cowboys still haven't even talking to Parsons or his agent about a new deal.

Parsons 'will not finish' his career with Cowboys, 2025 season could be his last in Dallas

Parsons and the Cowboys "haven't even spoken about a deal," according to Schefter, who added it has been three or four months since a contract discussion has been held.

Schefter adds that if no resolution is reached, Parsons' time in Dallas will be "limited," with the franchise tag and intensified trade talks being on the table.

Parsons situation 'remains unsolved,' negotiations have not improved

  • Date: Aug. 13
  • Source: ESPN

Despite weeks passing since Parsons' trade request, ESPN reports that Parsons continues to watch Cowboys practices from the sidelines with nothing having changed in negotiations between the two sides. Dallas and Parsons reportedly still "have yet to discuss a deal."

When asked why the two sides aren't yet talking, Jerry Jones said there is "nothing" preventing it.

"We might, or we might not talk. And the rest of that gets into what we do every day," Jones said, per ESPN.

Jerry Jones says he is not confident Parsons will be available for the season opener

The Cowboys are playing in the first game of the 2025 NFL season, facing the defending champion Eagles on Sept. 4. Less than a month away from kickoff, Jones is not confident that Parsons will be available.

"No, absolutely not," Jones told reporters when asked if he was confident about Parsons' availability against Philadelphia. "A big part of that is his decision. How would I know that?"

Jerry Jones tells fans not to 'lose any sleep' over Parsons' trade request

In his first time talking to reporters following Parsons' trade request, Jerry Jones told fans "don't lose any sleep over" Parsons' trade request. 

"That's the one thing I would say to our fans, 'Don't lose any sleep over it,'" Jones said. 

To Jones' point, it's rare that NFL trade requests lead to actual trades, rather than the player eventually getting the extension they desire. But still, Parsons' post on social media indicated he was very ready to move on from Dallas. 

Teams will check in on Cowboys star's availability

Immediately following Parsons' trade request becoming public, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that the Cowboys have "no intention of trading" the star defender, but "still, teams around the league are planning to reach out" to check on Parsons' availability.

All together, it was fairly unsurprising news after the trade request. Not only was it expected that the Cowboys would have no interest in trading Parsons, an All-Pro pass rusher that's 26 years old, especially given the haul it would take to get equal value back, but it was also fair to expect teams to investigate on Parsons' price after the request. 

Micah Parsons officially requests trade from Cowboys

  • Date: August 1
  • Source: Micah Parsons

After months of Parsons' contract situation reportedly making little progress, he made headlines by officially submitting a trade request to the Cowboys while also posting about it on social media.

In his post, Parsons wrote that he "wanted to be" in Dallas, but that's "no longer" the case due to the team repeatedly trying to negotiate with him without his agent present, "shots taken at me for getting injured," and an overall lack of communication about a contract between the Cowboys and his representative.

MORE: Micah Parsons' contract dispute, explained 

Micah Parsons contract projection

With Parsons being just 26 and among the greatest pass rushers for his age in NFL history, the expectation remains that he'll earn a deal that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback the league has ever seen.

Right now, that title belongs to T.J. Watt, who agreed to a three-year, $123 million extension with the Steelers that pays him $41 million per season. So, if Parsons is to take the new throne as the highest-paid non-passer, he'd make more than $41 million per year. And because he's still considered young, it's likely that Parsons signs a deal that goes at least three years, if not four or five.

Around $170 million over four years or around $210 million over five years could be the price tag for Parsons. Guaranteed money will be another talking point; Myles Garrett's contract with the Browns was 77 percent guaranteed, while Watt's was shorter, but 88 percent guaranteed.

MORE: The top potential trade landing spots for Micah Parsons

Terry McLaurin

Terry McLaurin trade rumors tracker

McLaurin signs three-year, $96 million extension

McLaurin finally got his deal. Two weeks shy of the Commanders' first game, the star wide receiver got paid. We await additional details, but McLaurin has signed a reported three-year, $96 million deal, which averages out to $32 million a season. 

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels thinks McLaurin signs soon

Russini reports that she will release a one-on-one interview with Daniels on August 22. In that, she said that the quarterback is "very optimistic" that McLaurin will get a deal soon, with both sides coming to an agreement. 

McLaurin wants $33 million, Commanders are offering around $30 million per year

  • Date: Aug. 18
  • Source: Ian Rapoport

Rapoport said on "The Pat McAfee Show" that Washington and McLaurin have around a $3 million difference in their contract negotiations. McLaurin wants to be paid around the same per season as D.K. Metcalf, which is why he has chosen that number specifically.

McLaurin activated off PUP list, but move unrelated to contract talks

  • Date: Aug. 16
  • Source: ESPN

The Commanders announced that Terry McLaurin is being activated off the PUP list, but the move is "the next step in his progression" rather than being connected to contract talks.

"Definitely separate," head coach Dan Quinn said, per ESPN. "This is about his getting ready."

The move makes McLaurin eligible to practice and get up to speed with the rest of the team in anticipation for Week 1. McLaurin has been at the facility since July 27 rehabbing an ankle issue.

If he were to holdout into the season, McLaurin would be fined for each game he misses. Washington has reportedly shown no different stances in the fact that it has no plans to trade the wide receiver.

Commanders OC says team is 'at that point' to need McLaurin back

As a stalemate between McLaurin and the Commanders continues, the team's offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury, said that on-field work needs to happen soon for the wide receiver and "we're kind of at that point to where we need to start getting those guys."

Dan Quinn says McLaurin's request is 'normal business' around the NFL

In the first time Commanders head coach Dan Quinn spoke to reporters about McLaurin's trade request, he said noted that the team "loves Terry" and "hopefully he's out practicing soon," but said he understood there's a "business side of this."

"I'm really glad he's here. I love coaching him. But the business side, that's kind of where it's at. It's not -- somebody asked me if it's a distraction -- it is not. Players today, they're more aware of contracts and things maybe than they used to be," Quinn said, per NFL.com. "They recognize that business part happens, as well, so for the team, we're just rocking and going and throwing some great practices.

"For Terry and the trade request, that's part of normal business that is happening around the NFL. It's normal, we understand it, and we just throw our very best practices out on the field."

Commanders reportedly 'won't trade' McLaurin, but no movement on potential extension

Following McLaurin's trade request, ESPN reported that "there has been no movement toward" a potential Commanders extension for the wide receiver, which is why he's grown frustrated. McLaurin initially skipped the Commanders' mandatory minicamp and first days of training camp, and while he did show up at the end of July, he was placed on the physically unable to perform list due to an ankle issue. Because he reported to camp, McLaurin could no longer be fined for his absence. 

Schefter also reported that sources told him Washington "won't trade" McLaurin.  

Terry McLaurin requests trade from Commanders

Various reports indicated on July 31 that McLaurin, a two-time Pro Bowler, had requested to be traded by Washington. Entering a contract season, the wide receiver had been seeking an extension all offseason to prevent heading to free agency by next March, but he had yet to receive a deal from the Commanders.

McLaurin has had five consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, ranking among the top weapons in the league on an annual basis.

MORE: Terry McLaurin's trade request, explained

Terry McLaurin contract projection

Prior to his new three-year deal, McLaurin had one year left on the three-year, $68 million extension he signed in 2022. The expectation was that he was trying to land a deal north of $30 million per year, but part of the complication was that he'd already 31 years old when a potential extension would kick in.

Last year, Tyreek Hill signed a three-year extension for $30 million per year with Miami at age 30. Also in 2024, at age 31, Tampa Bay's Mike Evans inked a two-year extension worth $20.5 million per season and $35 million guaranteed.

Other recent WR deals that were e comparable to McLaurin's include 30-year old Courtland Sutton getting a four-year, $92 million contract ($23 million AAV) from Denver, Tee Higgins signing a four year, $115 million ($28.75 million AAV) from Cincinnati, and DK Metcalf getting a four-year, $132 million ($33 million AAV) from Pittsburgh.

Because McLaurin was in the same draft class as Metcalf, the Steelers receiver's deal could have been used as a template, but the problem was that McLaurin is two years older than Metcalf. McLaurin has also been harder to judge as a top wide receiver compared to his peers at times, as it's debatable whether he's worth around the same money as a solid WR1 like Sutton, versus being paid as one of the top receivers in the NFL like Hill or Metcalf.

In the end, McLaurin's official three-year, $96 million deal tied him with A.J. Brown as the sixth-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL by AAV, per Over The Cap.

MORE: The top potential trade landing spots for Terry McLaurin

Trey Hendrickson trade rumors tracker

Trey Hendrickson agrees to revised one-year deal with Bengals

First, Terry McLaurin got his deal on August 25. Now, Trey Hendrickson has gotten his. It's likely not exactly what Hendrickson truly desired, as multiple reports indicate that he has agreed to a pay boost from $16 million to $30 million for the 2025 season.

Hendrickson will rank among the highest-paid defenders in the NFL for 2025, but he has not been locked up in Cincinnati beyond 2025. While his long holdout is over, setting the path for him to play in Week 1, Hendrickson will still be a free agent after the 2025 campaign.

With Hendrickson's contract solution, Micah Parsons is the lone star whose trade request remains up in the air.

Bengals and Hendrickson have re-started talks on a new deal

It was reported in the early afternoon that Hendrickson and the Bengals have resumed contract negotiations, exploring a more "unique" avenue to get the deal done. According to Schultz, the two parties have discussed giving Hendrickson more money this season while still letting his contract expire after the year.

When it comes to an agreement, a source said “more work to do, but there’s cautious optimism.” 

Hendrickson, Bengals far apart on guaranteed money in potential extension

Cincinnati was in Landover, Md., to face the Commanders during "Monday Night Football" in Week 2 of the preseason. Hendrickson shed light on negotiations in conversation with ESPN's Laura Rutledge, who reports that Hendrickson and the Bengals are close to agreeing on the deal's length and average annual value, but "The sticking point remains the guaranteed money in a potential extension."

As such, Hendrickson "remains entrenched in his position on not playing in the upcoming season."

Cincinnati outlines asking price for Hendrickson

With suitors emerging, the Bengals are reportedly seeking a young defensive player and a 2026 first-round pick in exchange for Hendrickson, according to Russini. While Cincinnati seeks a defender, the player it receives in return does not have to be a pass rusher.

3 teams emerging for Hendrickson

Per Jordan Schultz, three teams have emerged as suitors for Hendrickson. His sources have said the Panthers, Browns and Colts have all inquired with the Bengals about what a Hendrickson trade could look like. 

Bengals shopping Hendrickson

After more than two weeks with no news, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that with the two sides at a contract impasse, Cincinnati is once again opening the trade talks for Hendrickson with teams around the league. 

Hendrickson's hold-out becomes a hold-in

While Hendrickson had yet to receive a trade or new contract, he ended his holdout from training camp by reporting. He could no longer be fined for his absences, but Schefter reported that Hendrickson and the Bengals were no closer on an agreement yet. 

The star pass rusher is not practicing with the team, seen wearing street clothes at practices, but is still attending training camp while seeking a resolution to his dispute. 

Hendrickson does not report to training camp

As expected, Hendrickson did not report to training camp when it got under way, still seeking a new contract with his trade situation still not working out either. Bengals owner Mike Brown had previously said that they would not trade Hendrickson, but no progress appeared to have been made in a deal. 

Trey Hendrickson says he won't play in 2025 without new deal

As Bengals offseason workouts got under way, no Hendrickson trade had come to fruition. He told reporters that he would not play in 2025 without a new contract, but that he wants to return to the Bengals.

At the time, Hendrickson told ESPN that his representatives had had no communication with the Bengals since the NFL Draft.

Bengals grant Trey Hendrickson permission to seek trade

At the beginning of the NFL offseason, Cincinnati granted Hendrickson permission to seek a trade as he continued his desires for a lucrative contract extension. 

"It’s been an honor and privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years,” Hendrickson said in a statement. “I love this city and organization. I appreciate the privilege of now being allowed to explore my options.”

MORE: The top potential trade landing spots for Trey Hendrickson

Trey Hendrickson contract projection

Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks in 2024, rightfully seeking a payday that puts him among the top pass rushers in the league. Just where he should slot in among the highest-paid pass rushers, however, is a reason for the dispute between Hendrickson and the Bengals.

One recent extension could have helped give an idea of a potential Hendrickson deal. Steelers star T.J. Watt signed a three-year, $123 million deal that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, including $108 million guaranteed. A record-breaking $41 million AAV wasn't something to expect for Hendrickson, despite him being the same age as Watt and with similar sack numbers the last two seasons.

Watt has much more of a track record as an all-world defender, as a seven-time Pro Bowler and former DPOY. But Watt's deal could provide a ballpark range for Hendrickson's price in the 2026 offseason after his new one-year deal.

Spotrac's Michael Ginnitti recently estimated that Hendrickson would be worth a three-year, $115 million deal that includes $100 million guaranteed, which isn't too far off from Watt's extension. That $38.5 million AAV would make Hendrickson the third-highest-paid EDGE in the league, trailing only Watt and Myles Garrett (and likely Micah Parsons after he signs a new deal). On Hendrickson's revised 2025 deal, he's the sixth-highest-paid EDGE in the league based on his $30 million AAV.

MORE: Trey Hendrickson's contract dispute with Bengals, explained

Daniel Mader

Daniel Mader is a Content Producer for The Sporting News. He joined SN in 2024 as an editorial intern following graduation from Penn State University. He has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports, the Centre Daily Times, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Daily Collegian and LancasterOnline. Daniel grew up in Lancaster, Penn., with a love for baseball that’ll never fade, but could also talk basketball or football for days.