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Matt LaFleur reveals he's still open to key addition that Packers front office continues to show little urgency about

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated May 21, 2025 11:35 AM ET

You can never have too many pass rushers . At the same time that general manager Brian Gutekunst has said it, the Green Bay Packers have shown little urgency to attack the position. Outside of drafting Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver, two Day 3 draft picks, there have been no additions to the defensive end room.

But head coach Matt LaFleur would certainly want another big piece at the premium position. In an interview with Kay Adams, LaFleur was more generic, to be fair, but he indicated he would want to add a top player.

"If it's up to me, we're never turning down great players," LaFleur told the Up and Adams Show. "So I'll be up there talking to Gutey and Russ (Ball), do whatever you gotta do to bring as many good players in as possible, because I know one thing: Great players make great coaches. So if you have some great players, you're gonna be a better coach because of it."

Sounds like Matt LaFleur is open to adding a pass rusher. @heykayadams | @packers pic.twitter.com/gHCXgoEVwW
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 20, 2025

Later, Kay Adams specifically talked about Trey Hendrickson, who had 17.5 sacks in each of the past two years—leading the league last season. Earlier this week, ESPN's Matt Bowen mentioned that Green Bay is the ideal landing spot for Hendrickson.

The Cincinnati Bengals edge defender is entering the final year of his deal, slated to make $16 million. However, he wants a contract extension north of $30 million (and possibly above $35 million) per season.

The Packers haven't shown much urgency to add pieces to the position because they think the talent in the room is enough. Rashan Gary is a former first-round pick who signed a big four-year extension during the 2023 season, and the roster also has 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness. They probably haven't played to their expected ceiling yet, but the Packers' projection is that the change in the defensive line coach from Jason Rebrovich to DeMarcus Covington can makes things finally work.

Meanwhile, though, LaFleur could certainly see a scenario where Trey Hendrickson would be a great addition to the roster—especially because thinking about the future repercussions is more of a job to the front office anyway.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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