Myles Garrett’s trade request from the Cleveland Browns could be just the start of a wild -- and lucrative -- offseason for the NFL’s top pass rushers.
Sources say the long-term futures of Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby with their current teams is also up in the air as massive contract extensions loom and new coaching staffs take over with the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders, respectively. And Trey Hendrickson’s future with the Cincinnati Bengals has been the subject of much discussion during Super Bowl week, as well.
All four players are expected to command new deals at the top of the pass rusher market, which is currently topped by Nick Bosa’s $34.2 million per year deal with the San Francisco 49ers. The question now is, are their current teams willing to pay that type of money? And -- like Garrett -- do Crosby and Parsons envision moving forward with huge paydays from their current teams at a time they could be entering a rebuilding phase?
Any blockbuster trade would include an agreement with the acquiring team on a new contract, giving the players a level of control over their ultimate destination.
Here’s a thumbnail look at where each situation stands:
- Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns: General manager Andrew Berry said recently the team won’t trade Garrett, and sources say their stance hasn’t changed. But Garrett made clear in his statement on Feb. 3 that he wants to continue his career elsewhere, setting up a standoff that could last weeks or even months. If the Browns soften their stance, Garrett -- a six-time Pro Bowl selection and 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year -- would be expected to command massive trade compensation. He’s still in his prime at age 29. He has two years and about $45 million left on his current deal, which voids after the 2026 season.
- Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys: Normally open with his opinions, the Cowboys’ 25-year-old superstar hasn’t said much of anything about the team’s promotion of Brian Schottenheimer after a surprise parting of ways with head coach Mike McCarthy -- a move Parsons called “devastating.” While there have been no trade talks, sources say there have at least been some internal discussions about whether to pay Parsons or trade him for a king’s ransom. If the Cowboys are willing to listen, they may get it. Cowboys COO Stephen Jones told NFL.com in December that the team will study the wisdom of having so much money invested in so few players, but added: “I can’t imagine there’s a scenario where he's not wearing a star on his helmet.” Parsons is due about $24 million on the fifth-year option year on his rookie contract in 2025.
- Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders: Still only 27, Crosby has said before he wants to be a "Raider for life" and has been loyal to the organization. He also has been open about his frustrations with the team’s seemingly endless string of changes and mounting losses. Crosby wants to win and be a big reason behind the success. While the hiring of Super Bowl winner Pete Carroll was a step toward stability, the Raiders still don’t have a franchise quarterback and have a ton of work to do to field a competitive roster. Trading Crosby for a bounty of picks would be one way to expedite that process, and Crosby might welcome the change, particularly if it’s to a playoff team where he knows people (e.g. Green Bay). Crosby has two years and about $44 million remaining on the contract extension he signed in 2022.
- Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals: After a short-lived trade request last spring, Hendrickson played all 17 games in 2024 for the Bengals and led the NFL with 17.5 sacks, bringing his total to 70.5 over the past five seasons, including the four he played in Cincinnati. Star quarterback Joe Burrow has been vocal about wanting the Bengals to pay Hendrickson, 30, who signed a one-year extension in 2023 and is due just $16 million next season. But the Bengals have other expensive decisions to make, including on receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said recently they’ll try to extend Hendrickson but noted both sides must agree. Cincinnati rarely makes trades, with Tobin often noting that he doesn’t like to trade away great players. But if Hendrickson became available, there would be a strong market.
In case that’s not enough: Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt also is entering a contract year with $21.05 million due in 2025 and is headed for another top-of-market deal.
Whoever resets the market, and wherever they do it, Lions star Aidan Hutchinson could be the next to get paid big. Hutchinson had 7.5 sacks in five games before suffering a season-ending leg injury in October and is now extension-eligible as he enters the fourth year of his rookie contract.