.jpg)
5 hours ago
1
The Green Bay Packers still have a few needs that must be addressed before the start of the season, including edge rusher. Despite adding Barryn Sorrell in the 2025 NFL Draft, Green Bay doesn't have a consistent pass rusher opposite Rashan Gary.
General manager Brian Gutekunst may need to search the free agency market to address the need, but CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin also believes that the Packers are a potential trade landing spot for disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
"After dealing Preston Smith during the 2024 season, the Packers could still use a proven counterpart for Rashan Gary and the young Lukas Van Ness off the edge. They've also got plenty of money to spend, with more than $31 million in remaining 2025 cap space. The draft was all about bolstering Jordan Love's supporting cast with two early wide receiver investments; now how about shoring up the other side," Benjamin wrote.
Hendrickson has been seeking a new contract from the Bengals all offseason, but both sides don't seem to be on the same page. The All-Pro defender revealed a statement to ESPN on Monday about his contract situation, stating that Cincinnati has cut all communication with his camp.
"No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post draft," Hendrickson said, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. "The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level. Coaches are aware of these past conversations. Rather than using collaboration to get us to a point to bring me home to the team, THEY are no longer communicating. I have been eagerly awaiting a resolution of this situation, but that’s hard to do when there is no discussion and an evident lack of interest in reaching mutual goals."
If the Bengals can't reach an agreement with Hendrickson, they will be forced to trade him. Green Bay would be an ideal landing spot, as the veteran pass rusher would elevate the team's defense to another level, and the Packers have the money and draft capital to materialize a deal.
Pairing Gary with Hendrickson would give Green Bay a dynamic pass-rushing duo and heavily increase the Packers' chances to dethrone the Detroit Lions in the NFC North and compete for a Super Bowl in 2025.
MORE CINCINNATI BENGALS NEWS
Bengals' Trey Hendrickson gives troublesome contract update in candid statement to ESPN
Bengals schedule 2025: Release dates and times, list of opponents, strength of schedule
Bengals free agent pitch lands former $9 million veteran running back to pair with Chase Brown
English (US)