Should the Packers Kick the Tires On Trey Hendrickson?

The Green Bay Packers are running out of options in the free-agent pass-rush market. While some players like Azeez Ojulari could step in as a situational rusher, the talent pool is shallow.

Green Bay could have traded for Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby, but those opportunities quickly disappeared. Garrett requested a trade but ultimately signed a contract extension with the Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders never officially made Crosby available, and they recently signed him long-term.

Trey Hendrickson was another pass rusher who generated buzz at the start of the new league year.

The Cincinnati Bengals granted him permission to seek a trade as they navigate contract negotiations with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

According to Adam Schefter, the Bengals are working hard to re-sign Chase and Higgins to multi-year extensions. With both deals in the works, it all but confirms that Hendrickson’s time in Cincinnati is over.

The financial commitment to their star receivers leaves little room for retaining a high-priced pass rusher.

Hendrickson is likely Green Bay’s last real chance to upgrade their pass rush before the draft. Therefore, Brian Gutekunst must analyze the Packers’ roster and salary cap situation to determine whether it’s worth trading for him.

Hendrickson is coming off a season in which he recorded a league-high 17.5 sacks and 83 pressures, tying Garrett for the most in the NFL. Hendrickson was also a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. He has three seasons with at least 14 sacks and 75 pressures.

Though he turns 31 in December, he still has the potential for at least a couple more seasons of high-level play.

Hendrickson is entering the final year of his contract with the Bengals, which means any team trading for him will likely have to part with a second- or third-round pick and sign him to a new long-term extension.

Garrett, Crosby, and Nick Bosa are the only pass rushers currently making more than $30 million per year. Given Hendrickson’s production, he has every reason to seek a contract in that range.

According to Over the Cap, the Packers have $31,868,832 in cap space, with $28,803,486 in effective cap space. While this gives them the flexibility to offer Hendrickson a lucrative extension, their long-term financial outlook is much tighter.

The team already has more money committed to only 29 players in 2026 than they do to 70 players this year – and that’s before factoring in the upcoming draft class.

That number also doesn’t include Green Bay’s 10 pending unrestricted free agents, all of whom are current starters or key contributors, along with additional potential restricted free agents.

They have tough decisions to make, and adding Hendrickson would further tighten the salary cap, likely forcing even more difficult roster moves in the future.

One question Green Bay must assess is whether they are just one elite pass rusher away from becoming a true Super Bowl contender. At this point, that’s not the case.

The Packers had the third-most drops in the NFL last season, and for the offense to take the next step, their young wide receivers must address this issue. On defense, while the team signed Nate Hobbs on Monday, they still need a reliable No. 2 cornerback alongside him and depth at the position.

Although an elite pass rusher like Hendrickson would instantly improve the defensive line, Green Bay must also address other pressing needs to go from good to great. At this stage, an elite pass rush is not the final piece of the puzzle.

Bringing in Hendrickson could be beneficial for Green Bay’s short-term future.

However, I find it hard to believe that Gutekunst would be willing to give up any Day 2 capital and commit a large portion of the salary cap to a player in his 30s.

Make no mistake, Hendrickson is a talented pass rusher, but his profile doesn’t align with the typical offseason additions Gutekunst usually makes.

Billy Turner was 28 when Gutekunst signed him, and he was the oldest player he’s acquired in an offseason. The Packers typically target players entering their second contracts, usually in the 24 to 26 age range.

Ultimately, it will come down to whether the Packers feel they can balance their short-term and long-term goals while accepting the sacrifices a move for Hendrickson would entail.

I see value in making a move for him, but given Green Bay’s track record with offseason acquisitions, I’d imagine they’ll sit this one out.