One year removed from making a pair of marquee additions in free agency that sparked dramatic improvements on both sides of the ball, general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers largely flew under the radar this offseason. That could be about to change.
For as impactful as safety Xavier McKinney and running back Josh Jacobs were, as top-of-the-market additions, Green Bay spent this offseason shopping for bargains with cornerback Nate Hobbs and interior offensive lineman Aaron Banks as two of the more heralded free agent additions.
Conversely, the Packers seem to be relying on the 2024 and 2025 draft class making big strides this fall, but there could be one more big move yet to be made.
Packers Encouraged to Pull Off Blockbuster Trade
On the eve of training camp opening, Bleacher Report NFL analyst Matt Holder suggests the Packers are an ideal fit for Trey Hendrickson, and that Gutekunst and Co. should try to pull off a blockbuster trade to acquire the Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro edge rusher in the weeks ahead.
“Granted, OTC lists Green Bay’s 2026 cap space at just $17.1 million,” Holder writes for B/R. “So this would take some financial maneuvering by Brian Gutekunst and Co.
“If the Cheeseheads can make the finances work, their Super Bowl odds should see a significant increase by adding last year’s sack leader.”
There are always creative ways to structure contracts to spread out the cap hits, and the Packers are uniquely positioned as having a significant need at pass rusher, and playing in the NFC that could make them an ideal trade partner for the Bengals to offload Hendrickson.
Adding Hendrickson to Jeff Hafley’s front seven isn’t just the kind of move that elevates the defense, giving the pass rush legitimate teeth in a way the Packers are banking on Matthew Golden upgrading the receiving corps but could lift Green Bay into the Super Bowl conversation in the process.
For More Football News:
Follow Matt Lombardo on Threads at @MattLombardoNFL. To read more of our articles and in-depth NFL coverage, click here.
