Packers labeled perfect fit for defensive star in hypothetical trade, but the idea is hard to justify from Green Bay's side

The Green Bay Packers didn't add, or at least haven't added a big-time pass rush to play alongside Rashan Gary. For the most part, it's a bet that new defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington can take more out of the investments the team has made over the last few years.

However, the national perception is still that the Packers need to add pieces to the defensive end room, and that's why ESPN's Matt Bowen mentioned that Green Bay is the ideal landing spot for Trey Hendrickson.

In a piece about best fits for remaining free agents and trade candidates around the league, Bowen gave reasons why it would be perfect for the Packers to acquire Hendrickson.

"After being granted permission to seek a trade in March, Hendrickson is refusing to play with the Bengals until he receives a new contract. If no deal comes together, Green Bay would be the perfect landing spot for him, as he'd pair well with Rashan Gary in Jeff Hafley's defensive system. Lukas Van Ness, a 2023 first-rounder, is still developing at this stage, so there is a path for Green Bay to add more to its defensive line.

Hendrickson is a relentless defender off the edge, with a deep toolbox of counters and a knack for making plays late in the down. His 17.5 sacks and 65 pressures were league highs in 2024. This would be a big-time get for the Packers' defense, which tied for the eighth-most sacks last season (45)." — Matt Bowen.

All those things are certainly true. Trey Hendrickson is still a great player, and his immediate impact for the Packers would be significant. At the same time, as I wrote here, it's simply not the type of move Green Bay looks for—or should look for.

This is something general manager Brian Gutekunst said after last season and nobody seemed to care about, but it's truly important about how he builds the roster.

"When you trade a high pick for a veteran player, you're trading a young, really good contract for a player who's proven, but probably expensive, so you're giving up a pick and salary cap space. You gotta weigh that," Gutekunst said. "If it's the right player, if you can feel he can be a dynamic player that can change your football team, you gotta consider that, because there's not many of those guys out there. But you also have to understand what you're giving up."

While Hendrickson is a really good player that could qualify as that difference-maker Gutekunst talks about, he is already 30 years old and wants a new, top-of-the-market contract. That would most likely be North of $30 million per season.

Considering his age, it's realistic to assume that the Packers (or whoever acquires him) would pay for past production. And this is something Green Bay almost never does. Just look at the types they sign in free agency, for instance. Usually, it's young players entering their second deals in the NFL. Even their own players rarely get third contracts.

Trey Hendricks is really good, and would certainly be an upgrade for the 2025 version of the Packers. But this is never about only one year, especially when it's a deal that includes draft picks and a huge long-term commitment.