The Green Bay Packers are gearing up for the 2025 NFL season with a roster that’s looking solid, but there’s still some buzz around potential moves that could take their defense to the next level. While the cornerback room is generating plenty of chatter—especially with two-time Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander skipping voluntary workouts amid reported tension with the front office—the Packers seem confident in their secondary. They’ve got veterans like Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine, plus free-agent pickup Nate Hobbs, and high hopes for young guns Kalen King (2024 seventh-rounder) and Micah Robinson (2025 seventh-rounder). Whether Alexander stays or goes, Green Bay’s feeling good about their options in the back end. But the real talk around town? The defensive line, where the Packers could use a serious boost to keep quarterbacks sweating.
Last season, the Packers racked up 45 sacks, good enough for a top-10 spot league-wide. Sounds impressive, but dig a little deeper, and it’s clear the pass rush was feast-or-famine—15 of those sacks came in just two games (eight against the Colts, seven against the Seahawks). That kind of inconsistency won’t cut it in a stacked NFC North, where you’re duking it out with the Lions, Vikings, and Bears. To address this, Green Bay went to work in the 2025 draft, grabbing edge-rushers Barryn Sorrell (fourth round) and Collin Oliver (fifth round), plus interior lineman Warren Brinson (sixth round). They’re banking on these rookies, along with breakout potential from Kingsley Enagbare and former first-rounder Lukas Van Ness, to give Pro Bowl edge-rusher Rashan Gary some backup. But if you ask head coach Matt LaFleur, he’s not done dreaming about adding another game-wrecker to the mix.
On Tuesday’s Up and Adams podcast, LaFleur didn’t hide his hunger for more talent. “Hey, if it’s up to me, we’re never turning down great players,” he told host Kay Adams, who’s got a knack for sniffing out Packers moves (she called the Xavier McKinney signing early last year). LaFleur’s pitch to GM Brian Gutekunst and president Russ Ball was clear: “Do whatever you gotta do to bring in as many good players as possible.” Why? Because, as he put it, “great players make great coaches.” And right now, all signs point to one name: Trey Hendrickson, the Cincinnati Bengals’ star pass-rusher who’s reportedly pushing for a trade after leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024 and finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Hendrickson’s a proven quarterback nightmare—33 solo tackles, 13 assists, and 125.5 sack yards last season, plus a fourth Pro Bowl nod. For a Packers team that’s been linked to him as a “perfect fit” by outlets like ESPN and Bleacher Report, he’d be a massive coup, pairing with Gary to form a fearsome edge duo. The catch? His price tag could hit $30-$40 million, and with Green Bay’s cap already tight, some fans on X are skeptical, pointing out they’d need to cut multiple players to make it work. Still, LaFleur’s comments and reports of Hendrickson’s trade request have fueled speculation, with some even floating a blockbuster involving Alexander and a second-round pick.
Here’s the deal: the Packers are 24-24 and eyeing a playoff push, but their pass rush needs consistency to compete with the NFC’s elite. Hendrickson could be the missing piece, turning a good defense into a great one. Imagine him and Gary collapsing pockets while the secondary locks down receivers—good luck, Aaron Rodgers. But pulling it off means Gutekunst working some cap magic, and that’s no small feat. For now, Packers fans are dreaming of a defense that could dominate, and if LaFleur gets his wish, Hendrickson might just be the guy to make it happen. Keep your eyes on this one—it’s got all the makings of a game-changing move.
