The Green Bay Packers may find ways to bolster their defensive line in the 2025 NFL draft next month, but they might not need to wait that long to secure a transformative pass rusher for the upcoming season.
During the 2024 season, the Packers struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks, despite investing heavily in their defensive line through the draft. Although they were tied for eighth in the league with 45 sacks last season, their defensive front ranked seventh-worst in pass-rush win rate at 35%, which hindered their performance.
To tackle this issue, the Packers could opt to draft another defensive lineman. However, with four former first-round picks—Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kenny Clark, and Devonte Wyatt—already on their line, they might consider a more daring strategy.
Ian Valentino of The 33rd Team recently proposed a series of trades that seem “too sensible” before the draft on April 24, including one where the Packers would trade a “haul” to the Cincinnati Bengals for sack specialist Trey Hendrickson.
The proposed trade includes: Packers acquiring EDGE Trey Hendrickson, and the Bengals receiving a first-round pick (No. 23) and a fifth-round pick (No. 159) in 2025 along with the Packers’ second-round pick in 2026.
“Having earned four consecutive Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro title, the 30-year-old Hendrickson remains at the peak of his career,” Valentino explained. “While the Packers have a top-tier player in Rashan Gary, they rely too much on rotational players and strategic plays to generate pressure. Hendrickson would instantly address this and serve as a bridge for future seasons when Gary also moves past his prime.”
Hendrickson is a standout talent on the trading block after the Bengals allowed him to seek a trade earlier this month. Not only has the elite pass rusher been selected for the Pro Bowl four times in a row, but he has also amassed 17.5 sacks in consecutive seasons, leading all NFL defenders with his sack total in 2024. Under his current contract, Hendrickson would cost just $21 million in 2025. However, his request for a trade stems from his desire for a new contract potentially exceeding $30 million annually.
According to Over the Cap, the Packers have approximately $31 million in available cap space for the 2025 season, enabling them to afford both the trade for Hendrickson and a substantial contract extension commensurate with his skill.
Would Hendrickson resolve their defensive line issues, though? From a win-rate standpoint, Hendrickson is formidable. He recorded the second-best individual pass-rush win rate (24%) among NFL edge rushers in 2024, with the second-most 72 wins according to ESPN’s data. If given the chance to play for the Packers, his exceptional skills could elevate those around him on the line.
The Packers would still need to justify the hefty cost—Valentino’s proposal involves their first-round pick, additional selections, and a significant portion of their remaining cap space—but GM Brian Gutekunst believes the team can compete in 2025. If he also considers Hendrickson capable of giving them an edge, a trade would be logical.
