The Dallas Cowboys are reeling from a decision that has left fans and analysts scratching their heads: trading away superstar defensive end Micah Parsons. Owner Jerry Jones attempted to spin the move as a long-term win for the franchise, but the early returns tell a different story. Four games into the 2025 season, the Cowboys’ defense is in shambles, ranking dead last in total defense (420.5 yards allowed per game), 31st in scoring defense (33 points allowed per game), and tied for the fewest sacks in the NFL with just five. The trade that sent Parsons away in exchange for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks was supposed to bolster the defensive line, but the results have been underwhelming.
Kenny Clark, expected to be a dominant force in the middle, has managed only 12 tackles, one sack, and one tackle for loss through four games. The rest of the defensive line hasn’t fared much better. Free-agent addition James Houston leads the team with two sacks, while second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland accounts for the team’s only other sack. With the defense struggling to generate pressure or stop opposing offenses, the Cowboys are in desperate need of a spark to salvage their season.
Enter Trey Hendrickson, the Cincinnati Bengals’ star defensive end and a potential blockbuster trade target. Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024 and was second in the league with 17.5 sacks in 2023, could be the answer to Dallas’ defensive woes. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently suggested the Cowboys as a prime landing spot for the 30-year-old pass-rusher, noting that Cincinnati’s season may be spiraling. With Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow sidelined by toe surgery and no guarantee of a 2025 return, Cincinnati’s playoff hopes are fading fast. A blowout loss on Monday only underscored their defensive struggles, making it unlikely they can contend even if Burrow returns.
For the Bengals, trading Hendrickson could be a strategic move to maximize value for a player who may not re-sign with the team. Hendrickson, who held out during the offseason but received a $14 million raise to bring his 2025 salary to $30 million, is unlikely to stay in Cincinnati long-term. With season-ending injuries to top pass-rushers like Nick Bosa and Marcus Davenport across the league, the trade market for a player of Hendrickson’s caliber is heating up. While the Bengals may not fetch a first-round pick, a package of a second- and third-round pick from a desperate team like the Cowboys could be enough to get a deal done.
For Dallas, acquiring Hendrickson would be a bold move to replace the production lost with Parsons’ departure. Hendrickson’s proven ability to dominate as a pass-rusher—evidenced by his back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons—makes him a rare commodity. His addition could transform the Cowboys’ defensive front, providing the pressure needed to disrupt opposing offenses and alleviate the strain on a secondary that has been exposed week after week.
The Cowboys’ current defensive struggles are undeniable, and the Micah Parsons trade is looking more like a misstep with each passing game. Kenny Clark and draft picks may offer long-term potential, but the immediate need for a game-changer on defense is glaring. Trey Hendrickson, with his elite sack production and experience, could be the unthinkable yet perfect replacement for Parsons. If Dallas can pull off this trade, it might just breathe new life into a defense that desperately needs it—and give Cowboys fans a reason to believe again.
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