Biggest NFL Trades of the 2025 Preseason: Parsons Shocker, DK's Move, and More Roster-Changing Deals

Here are some of the biggest—and most impactful—trades of the 2025 NFL preseason, running up through the start of the regular season on September 4, 2025:

1. Micah Parsons to the Packers (August 28)

• Dallas Cowboys → Green Bay Packers
  Dallas receives: Pro Bowl DT Kenny Clark + two first-round draft picks (2026 & 2027)
  Green Bay gets: All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons, who then signed a 4-year, $188 million extension—making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history     .
• Why it matters: This blockbuster reshaped the NFC North balance and created dramatic ripple effects across rosters. Analysts labeled it a bold, aggressive move by Green Bay, while Cowboys fans remain stunned   .

2. Seahawks Trade DK Metcalf to the Steelers (March 12)

• Seattle Seahawks → Pittsburgh Steelers
  Steelers receive: WR DK Metcalf + 2025 6th-round pick
  Seahawks receive: 2025 2nd-round and 7th-round picks  .
• Why it matters: One of the first marquee moves of the offseason, sending a top-tier receiver to a contender like Pittsburgh created a big ripple in the AFC.

3. Other Notable March Trades (Offseason but within 2025 league year)

• Deebo Samuel → Washington (from San Francisco for a 5th-round pick)
• Joe Thuney → Chicago (from KC for a 2026 4th-round pick)
• Jonah Jackson → Chicago (from Rams for a 2025 6th-round pick)
• Laremy Tunsil → Washington (from Houston plus picks)
• Kenyon Green ↔ C.J. Gardner-Johnson swap—Houston and Philadelphia  

These were significant but mostly offseason—i.e., pre-preseason—so they had less direct impact on roster shake-ups in August.

4. Eagles’ Preseason Trades (August)

Based on tracking via ESPN and Wikipedia’s 2025 NFL season summary, the Philadelphia Eagles made multiple moves:

• August 5: Acquired CB Jakorian Bennett from Las Vegas in exchange for DT Thomas Booker  .
• August 18: Traded for WR John Metchie III (sending TE Harrison Bryant and a 2026 5th-round pick)  .
• August 24: Traded QB Sam Howell to the Eagles (from Vikings) in a pick swap (Eagles sent a 2026 6th; Vikings sent back a 5th and 2027 7th)  .
• August 25: Made two smaller swaps: acquired T Fred Johnson from Jaguars (for a 2026 7th), and sent T/G Darian Kinnard to the Packers (for a 2027 6th)  .

5. Other Preseason Trades Around the League

• Adam Thielen returned to the Vikings via trade from Carolina on August 27—a homecoming move that revitalized the Vikings’ wide receiver core  .
• Devaughn Vele → Broncos (from Saints for later-round picks) on August 20  .
• Tim Patrick → Jaguars (from Lions for a 2026 6th-round pick) on August 27  .