Sophia
The NFL landscape was irrevocably altered on Thursday night when the unthinkable became reality: Micah Parsons, the Dallas Cowboys’ generational superstar, was traded to the Green Bay Packers. In exchange for Parsons, the Cowboys received nose tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks, a move that sent shockwaves through the league and immediately sparked debates about its historical significance.
This blockbuster deal, featuring one of the most dominant defensive talents in modern football, saw Parsons sign a four-year, $188 million extension with Green Bay, signaling the Packers’ unwavering commitment to their new cornerstone. While the Cowboys opted not to meet Parsons’ contract demands, Green Bay seized the opportunity, making a move that many believe could reshape their Super Bowl aspirations.
Only time will tell the ultimate victor of this monumental trade. However, the sheer magnitude of a generational talent like Parsons changing teams, especially between two of the NFL’s most storied franchises, immediately thrusts this deal into the conversation of the greatest trades in league history. But how does it truly stack up against past blockbusters that reshaped the NFL?
Let’s delve into five other historic trades from the Super Bowl era that delivered similar tremors and examine their lasting impact on the teams involved.
Randy Moss to the Patriots: The Ultimate Heist
Patriots Receive: Randy Moss
Raiders Receive: 2007 Fourth-Round Pick
In what is widely regarded as one of the greatest heists in NFL history, Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots acquired wide receiver Randy Moss from the Oakland Raiders for a mere fourth-round pick in 2007. Moss, who had fallen out of favor in Oakland due to on-field and off-field issues, was coming off a down year with 42 catches, 553 yards, and three touchdowns.
The gamble paid off spectacularly. At 30 years old, Moss exploded in his first season with New England, recording an NFL-record 23 receiving touchdowns, alongside 98 catches for 1,493 yards. This historic performance fueled the Patriots’ undefeated 16-0 regular season and their run to Super Bowl XLII. Moss continued his dominance, tallying 47 receiving touchdowns in his first three seasons with the Patriots, solidifying his Hall of Fame career. Meanwhile, the Raiders’ fourth-round pick, John Bowie, played just five career games.
Eric Dickerson to the Colts: A Halloween Blockbuster
Colts Receive: Eric Dickerson
Rams Receive: Greg Bell, Owen Gill, 1988 First-Round Pick (from Bills), 1988 First-Round Pick (from Colts), 1988 Second-Round Pick (from Colts), 1988 Second-Round Pick (from Bills), 1989 First-Round Pick (from Bills), 1989 Second-Round Pick (from Colts), 1989 Second-Round Pick (from Bills)
Bills Receive: Rights to Cornelius Bennett
On Halloween 1987, the NFL witnessed a colossal three-team trade that sent star running back Eric Dickerson from the Los Angeles Rams to the Indianapolis Colts. This intricate deal, the largest involving players and draft picks since 1971, was sparked by a contract dispute between Dickerson and the Rams.
Dickerson immediately made an impact in Indianapolis, rushing for 1,011 yards and five touchdowns in just nine games, helping the Colts rally to a playoff berth. The following season, he led the league with 1,659 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, earning First-Team All-Pro honors. Over 61 games with the Colts, Dickerson amassed 5,194 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns.
The Rams, in turn, acquired two running backs and a staggering nine draft picks. Greg Bell, one of the backs, led the league in touchdowns twice with the Rams, rushing for 2,375 yards and 31 touchdowns in two seasons. The Bills, who facilitated part of the trade, gained the rights to Cornelius Bennett, who became a key defensive force on their four Super Bowl teams from 1990-1993, earning five Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro nod in 1988.
Joe Montana to the Chiefs: A Legendary Farewell
Chiefs Receive: Joe Montana, David Whitmore, 1993 Third-Round Pick
49ers Receive: 1993 First-Round Pick
The greatest quarterback in San Francisco 49ers history, Joe Montana, concluded his illustrious career not in the Bay Area, but with the Kansas City Chiefs. With Steve Young firmly entrenched as the 49ers’ starter and Montana battling injuries in his late 30s, San Francisco worked with Montana to find a suitable trade.
Montana ultimately chose the Chiefs, signing a three-year, $10 million deal. The Chiefs tailored their offense to Montana, bringing in his former quarterbacks coach, Paul Hackett, to install the West Coast offense. In 1993, at 37, Montana led the Chiefs to their first division title in 22 years, throwing for 2,144 yards, 13 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He then guided Kansas City to back-to-back come-from-behind playoff victories, culminating in an AFC Championship appearance against the Buffalo Bills. Montana’s impact was undeniable, bringing unprecedented postseason success to Kansas City and earning his final Pro Bowl selection.
Marshall Faulk to the Rams: The “Greatest Show on Turf” Catalyst
Rams Receive: Marshall Faulk
Colts Receive: 1999 Second-Round Pick, 1999 Fifth-Round Pick
In 1999, the Indianapolis Colts traded star running back Marshall Faulk to the St. Louis Rams after he sought a contract renegotiation following a league-leading 2,227 yards from scrimmage in 1998. Faulk, initially disappointed to leave Peyton Manning, signed a seven-year, $45.2 million deal with the Rams.
This trade proved to be a masterstroke for St. Louis. Faulk embarked on what many consider the greatest four-year run by any running back in NFL history. In 1999, he set an NFL record with 2,429 yards from scrimmage, propelling “The Greatest Show on Turf” Rams to a Super Bowl XXXIV title. Faulk finished in the top two of MVP voting for three consecutive years, winning Offensive Player of the Year in all three. From 1999-2001, he amassed an incredible 6,765 yards from scrimmage and 59 scrimmage touchdowns, leading the Rams to two Super Bowls in three years and earning three First-Team All-Pro selections. Faulk was the undeniable engine of that legendary offense.
Herschel Walker to the Vikings: The Foundation of a Dynasty
Vikings Receive: Herschel Walker, 1990 Third-Round Pick, 1990 Tenth-Round Pick, 1991 Third-Round Pick
Cowboys Receive: Jesse Solomon, David Howard, Issiac Holt, Alex Stewart, 1990 First-Round Pick, 1990 Second-Round Pick, 1990 Third-Round Pick, 1991 First-Round Pick, 1991 Second-Round Pick, 1992 First-Round Pick, 1992 Second-Round Pick, 1992 Third-Round Pick
The largest trade in NFL history, an 18-player deal, sent running back Herschel Walker from the Dallas Cowboys to the Minnesota Vikings in 1989. This defining trade laid the groundwork for the Cowboys’ dynasty of the 1990s. Despite Walker being their best player, coming off consecutive Pro Bowl seasons (including 1,514 rushing yards in 1988), owner Jerry Jones and coach Jimmy Johnson made a calculated risk, prioritizing draft capital.
The bounty of draft picks acquired by Dallas proved invaluable, turning into future franchise cornerstones like Emmitt Smith, Russell Maryland, Kevin Smith, and Darren Woodson. These players were instrumental in the Cowboys winning three Super Bowls in four years during the 1990s. While Walker never had a 1,000-yard season with the Vikings, rushing for 2,264 yards and 20 touchdowns in 42 games, the Cowboys unequivocally won this trade by hitting on their selections. It’s a stark reminder that sometimes, trading a star in his prime for future assets can yield unparalleled success.
The Parsons Trade: A New Chapter in NFL History
The trade of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers undoubtedly stands as one of the most significant transactions in NFL history. Its impact will be measured not just by immediate results, but by the long-term success of both franchises. While the Cowboys aim to replicate their Herschel Walker-era draft success, the Packers are banking on Parsons to be the missing piece for a Super Bowl run. The coming seasons will reveal whether this blockbuster will be remembered as a masterstroke for Green Bay or a foundational move for Dallas.
