A recent analysis ranks the largest trades in National Football League history, with the 2024 deal involving linebacker Micah Parsons being highlighted. Parsons, who was traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers, is expected to have a significant impact on his new team.
The piece compares the Parsons trade to other notable transactions, including the 1989 trade where the Cowboys sent Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings. That earlier deal brought a haul of players and draft picks to Dallas, contributing to their Super Bowl wins in 1992, 1993 and 1995, while Walker’s tenure in Minnesota did not yield similar success.
Other trades cited include when the Indianapolis Colts sent Marshall Faulk to the St. Louis Rams in 1999 for draft picks. Faulk played a major role in helping St. Louis win a Super Bowl and earned league Most Valuable Player honors the following season.
Eric Dickerson’s move from the Rams to the Colts in 1987 is also listed among top trades. Dickerson’s first season with Indianapolis included rushing for 1,659 yards and 14 touchdowns but his career output declined after that.
As for Parsons’ transfer from Dallas to Green Bay, it is noted that although rumors about such a trade had circulated for about a week prior, most expected Parsons would remain with Dallas at least through Week One of the regular season. With this transaction completed, Green Bay’s defense now features Parsons alongside safety Xavier McKinney and linebackers Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper.
Other trades ranked include Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff (Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams), Brett Favre going from Atlanta Falcons to Green Bay Packers, Steve Young from Tampa Bay Buccaneers to San Francisco 49ers, Christian McCaffrey moving from Carolina Panthers to San Francisco 49ers, Randy Moss joining the New England Patriots from Oakland Raiders and Jerome Bettis going from St. Louis Rams to Pittsburgh Steelers.
These moves are seen as pivotal moments that shaped franchises’ directions and affected outcomes such as playoff runs or championship victories.
