Packers-Bengals blockbuster trade proposal takes Green Bay's defense to another level

The Green Bay Packers are looking to take a step forward in 2025 and a blockbuster trade with the Cincinnati Bengals could help their cause.

The Packers finished with 45 sacks last season, tied for the eighth-most in the NFL. However, outside of Rashan Gary's 7.5 sacks, nobody else had more than five, so Green Bay could definitely use more fire power.

One avenue the Packers could explore to do that is trading for Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. Bleacher Report's Moe Moton recently offered a proposal for such a deal. Take a look:

• Bengals Get: 2026 3rd-rounder, 2026 5th-rounder, Lukas Van Ness
• Packers Get: EDGE Trey Hendrickson 

"If the Bengals prefer to move on from Hendrickson, they may be interested in Van Ness, who's seven years younger with upside and on a rookie deal," Moton wrote.

"The Packers can put together the most appealing offer if they're willing to package the former first-rounder with draft capital. Hendrickson and Rashan Gary would be a fearsome starting duo on the edge."

Hendrickson's name has come up in trade speculation all offseason long, and more fuel was added to the fire recently when the four-time Pro Bowler came out for the third time this offseason to publicly speak on his contract situation with Cincy.

Long story short, Hendrickson revealed that things are not going well at all, and that only increases the chances that he's eventually dealt.

Moton's trade package is one the Bengals could bite on, although we tend to believe they'd gun for a second-round pick instead of a third-rounder, even with Van Ness included in the deal. 

Van Ness has been a major disappointment during his career after being the No. 13 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, but he would offer another body on the edge, something the Bengals would need after sending Hendrickson packing. Perhaps Van Ness can have more success with a change of scenery, also.

Meanwhile, Hendrickson and Gary would form one of the better one-two punches along the edge in the NFL, which would take Green Bay's defense to another level and increase the team's chances of making a Super Bowl run.

Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks last season with 17.5, and his 35 since 2023 are also the most in the league.

Of course, the Packers would also have to extend Hendrickson, who has no intention on playing on his current deal.

The 30-year-old should garner somewhere in the range of $30-$40 million per year. The Packers don't have a great financial situation over the next few years, so they'd have to get creative to make it work.