Report: Packers pursued Hendrickson before landing Parsons

The Green Bay Packers were determined to bolster their defense with a star edge rusher, one way or another.

The Packers made an offer to the Cincinnati Bengals for Trey Hendrickson before ultimately acquiring Micah Parsons in a blockbuster deal with the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 28, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who was shipped to the Cowboys in the Parsons deal, also would've been involved in the trade with the Bengals had the two sides come to an agreement, Rapoport added. However, the Packers weren't ready to trade Clark at that point.

Hendrickson was given permission to seek a trade in the offseason as contract extension negotiations stalled. The Bengals listened to offers but never truly wanted to trade Hendrickson, according to Rapoport. Cincinnati ultimately gave Hendrickson a $14 million pay raise for this season, though he's still set to become a free agent after the campaign.

The 30-year-old led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season, finishing as the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year to Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain. Hendrickson's been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his four seasons with the Bengals.

Parsons, 26, notched 12 sacks in 13 games last season. He finished top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting in his first three years in the NFL.

The Packers traded Clark and two first-round picks for Parsons. Green Bay rewarded Parsons with a four-year, $188-million contract that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history on a per-year basis.