Packers Eye Trey Hendrickson for 2025 Pass-Rush Boost

The Green Bay Packers are keen to enhance their four-man pass-rush in 2025, and the opportunity has arisen to acquire the NFL’s top sack leader from 2024 who is now available on the trade market. As reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cincinnati Bengals have given edge rusher Trey Hendrickson the green light to explore trade options, presenting a significant opportunity for Packers’ General Manager, Brian Gutekunst, this off-season.

Acquiring Hendrickson won’t come cheap, as it will likely involve parting with high-value draft picks and negotiating a lucrative new contract.

Following an impressive 2024 season with 17.5 sacks, Hendrickson has one year remaining on his current contract, which includes a base salary of $15.8 million for 2025. If a trade transpires, the 30-year-old will surely seek a new multi-year deal.

Over the past two seasons, Hendrickson has amassed a remarkable 35.0 sacks, with consistent performances of 17.5 each season, along with 61 quarterback hits. He has achieved at least 10.0 sacks, 20 quarterback hits, and 70 pressures in four of the last five seasons. His brief dip in production was an 8.0 sack season in 2022, which included 24 quarterback hits and 74 pressures.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 270 pounds, Hendrickson meets the Packers’ ideal physical standards for a defensive end. Pairing him with Rashan Gary could provide Jeff Hafley with a formidable duo of edge rushers to strengthen the pass-rush in various situations.

The question remains: Are the Packers ready to trade significant draft assets to Cincinnati and commit a hefty contract to a 31-year-old veteran? Hendrickson’s impact as a consistently disruptive force on defense may justify the gamble for a team intending to excel beyond expectations in 2025.