The Green Bay Packers need to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks from their defensive line in 2025. Last season, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley had to blitz a lot more than he wanted to when the front four failed to supply enough pressure. No defensive lineman had more than Rashan Gary’s 7.5 sacks.

Earlier this week, the Cincinnati Bengals announced that defensive lineman Trey Hendrickson wanted to be traded. Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season, the second consecutive season he reached that milestone.

In addition to the sacks, Pro Football Focus credited Hendrickson with 49 hurries and 16 quarterback hits. He gets consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Cincinnati’s front office reportedly gave the Pro Bowl defensive lineman permission to seek a trade.

NFL.com indicated the Packers were one of eight teams who would be potential landing spots for Henrickson. Other teams on the list include NFC North rivals, the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions.

Hendrickson would certainly beef up the Packers front four.

The 6’4”, 270-pound Florida Atlantic alum has one year remaining on his current deal and is seeking a new contract. His cap hit for 2025 is presently $18.66 million according to overthecap.com.

The expected cost of trading for Hendrickson is expected to be a second or third round draft choice. However, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst would likely only make the deal if the Packers were able to sign him to an extension.

It would be an added bonus that the Packers would not likely have to part with their first-round draft choice this year when they are hosting the NFL Draft for the first time ever.

The chance to add an elite pass rusher at such a reasonable price doesn’t come along too often. The Packers certainly have the cap space to sign Hendrickson.

They can also create more cap space by restructuring the roster and workout bonuses of several players and converting them to signing bonuses, so cap space isn’t an issue.

Hendrickson grades out as an elite NFL defensive end. He is among the best in the league at rushing the passer and has a good run defense grade as well.

Shortly after the Packers playoff loss to the Eagles in January, Gutekunst indicated the Packers had to change their approach a bit this offseason.

“The thing that’s been on my mind as we’ve concluded this season is we need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency,” Gutekunst told reporters. “These opportunities don’t come [very often]. The life of a player in the National Football League is not very long. We’ve got a bunch of good guys in that locker room, got a bunch of talented guys in that locker room, and yeah, I think it’s time that we start competing for championships, right?”

Adding a player like Hendrickson would certainly fit the description of ramping up the urgency.

He would be a player who could make an immediate impact to the pass rush and allow Hafley to do what he wanted to do originally with his defense which was to get pressure by rushing the front four and not having to blitz very often.

The addition of an elite pass rushing defensive end would also help players like Gary, Brenton Cox, Kingsley Enagbare, and Lukas Van Ness as Hendrickson would face a lot of double teams and get a lot of attention from opposing coaches and offensive linemen.

It would also alter the team’s top needs heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. If the Packers sign Hendrickson, they could concentrate on adding players at other positions of need like cornerback, offensive line, or receiver.

The opportunity may be there to add a real impact player on the defensive side of the ball. Now let’s see if Gutekunst can make a deal and make this happen.