The Dallas Cowboys pulled off one of the most mind-boggling trades in recent NFL history, sending Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for Kenny Clark and two first-round picks. Prior to being traded to Green Bay, LA Chargers fans were hopeful the Bolts would take a swing on the All-Pro edge rusher.
It wasn't meant to be as the Chargers weren't even reported to be interested in Parsons. There is no telling what level of interest, if any, the Chargers had in the 26-year-old superstar.
There was, however, real interest in Parsons in the AFC West. According to KTNV reporter Nick Walters, the Las Vegas Raiders reportedly made a call regarding Micah Parsons but were ultimately outbid by the Packers. If Vegas was more aggressive, they could have paired Parsons alongside Maxx Crosby.
Chargers could've seen Micah Parsons join the Raiders
It's easy to down-sell any move the Raiders make as their history proves it usually won't work out. However, there wouldn't have been any spinning a Parsons trade. That would have been a bona fide swing that shook up the AFC West.
Crosby is already one of the best pass rushers in the sport and pairing him with Parsons may have created the best pass rush duo we have seen in recent NFL history. The Raiders would sported two of the five best pass-rushers in the sport, cementing their desire to create the Legion of Boom 2.0 under Pete Carroll.
The Raiders had the means to make it work comfortably as well. Las Vegas has over $28 million in cap space left heading into the 2025 season with over $95 million in cap space in 2026. It would have impacted the depth the team could bring in, but it was certainly doable.
Thankfully, the Raiders balked at the idea of trading two first-round picks and a player to the Cowboys. Now, Parsons goes to the NFC North where the Chargers don't have to worry about him while the Raiders comfortably remain the worst team in the AFC West.
But don't be surprised if the Raiders are in the mix for the next big name that hits the trade market during the NFL season. Las Vegas was clearly mulling over a Parsons trade, and could be the team to watch if another star hits the market.
The Chargers, meanwhile, will probably treat the next disgruntled superstar the same way they treated Parsons: by staying on the sideline.