There is mutual interest between Packers, Hendrickson
By GERY WOELFEL
Trey Hendrickson would be ecstatic playing for the Green Bay Packers.
And the Packers would be elated to have the services of arguably the best pass rusher in the NFL.
At least, that’s the sentiments of some people familiar with the Packers and Hendrickson, the Cincinnati Bengals veteran defensive end who has requested a trade.
“I know he wouldn’t mind playing there (in Green Bay) at all,’’ a source said. “Can you imagine him lining up with (Rashan) Gary? Can you imagine the pressure they’d put on quarterbacks?’’
Hendrickson would certainly be a godsend for the Packers, who are desperately trying to upgrade their pass rush. He is simply a sack machine.
Last season, in 17 games, Hendrickson recorded a whopping 17½ sacks — matching the total he registered the season before.
His back-to-back 17.5 sack seasons put him in elite company. He became only the fourth player in NFL history to post successive 17.5-plus sack seasons, joining former Packer Reggie White, Mark Gastineau and J.J. Watt.
Additionally, Hendrickson, 30, produced 83 quarterback pressures and 46 tackles, 40 of which were solos.
Hendrickson has also proven to be dependable. He hasn’t missed more than two games in each of the last five seasons. He played in all 17 games the last two seasons.
Unfortunately for the Packers, they may lack the ammo to acquire the 6-foot-4, 265-pound Hendrickson who has been selected to four Pro Bowls in his eighty-year pro career.
The scuttlebutt is the Bengals are reluctant to take on any players and more salary in a trade for Hendrickson and prefer multiple draft choices.
“They’re looking for a first (rounder) and picks,’’ a source said, “Or maybe a second and other picks. They want picks.’’
The Packers have a first-round draft pick at their disposal in the upcoming draft, which begins Thursday night in Green Bay. But that pick is at the tail end of the first round, No. 23 overall. The Packers have eight draft picks overall.
If the Bengals did decide to take on a player, the Packers could offer veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander, who is talented but injury prone.
“I’ve talked to Trey and he wants to play for a Super Bowl-contending team,’’ another source said. “Oh, God, he’d love to play for the Packers.’’
