Is Another Veteran Pass Rusher Needed?
Bringing in another veteran presence on the edge
By GregMeinholz
Heading into the 2025 offseason, the Green Bay Packers desperately needed to add another experienced pass rusher. The pressure numbers put up by the defense the previous season were very sub-optimal, and something needed to change if they wanted to compete at a high level. Training camp came and went, and outside of mid-late round draft picks, it looked like the team was going to field the same group as before. Which was very uninspiring.
However, just before the season started, a blockbuster trade changed all of that when the team traded for Micah Parsons and suddenly turned the pass-rushing problem into a strength. Micah Parsons led the Packers' pass rush and had quarterbacks running for their lives until he went down to a torn ACL late in the season. The Packers looked to Rashan Gary to help pick up some of the slack, but instead, they got, well, nothing. If you include the playoffs, Gary got zero sacks and only four QB hits after Parsons' injury. This has many fans ready for the team to part ways with the former first-round pick.
If Rashan Gary doesn't return in 2026, that could possibly leave a hole in the Packers' pass rush as far as experience is concerned. Will the team look to fill the void with another veteran pass rusher?
As of today, when it comes to edge rushers projected to still be on the team come season's start, the Packers have Parsons, Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver, Arron Mosby, and Brenton Cox Jr. If they remove Gary, given Micah Parsons is questionable for week 1, that leaves them with a very inexperienced or unproductive crew to kick off the season. Sorrell and Oliver are boom or bust hopefuls, but a team with Super Bowl aspirations can't put their faith in hope alone.
Signing a veteran edge rusher to even just a one-year deal could be very beneficial. It would give a small security blanket in the absence of Parsons to start the season, and it would also benefit the young edge defenders by giving them another role model and ensuring that they're not thrust into the fire, having to take on a higher snap count than they may be ready for. And once Parsons is available, the Packers could have a good complementary edge rusher on the other end at all times.
Now is not the time to risk a hopeful championship season on raw, unproven talent.
Edge defender candidates
Whenever free agency rolls around, many fans get stuck on the "best available" player at a position of need. While it may be a position of need, the best available player may not fit the need in terms of term or salary-cap room. That's when you need to get realistic.
Last summer, Trey Hendrickson was a name you'd see attached to the Packers daily. The Bengals' edge rusher was looking to get out of Cincinnati, and the Packers were a prime destination. It didn't happen, though. Hendrickson stuck with the Bengals one more season, and now he's available as a free agent, the best edge defender available. Sign him, right? Not so fast. The Packers already backed up the Brinks truck to Micah Parsons' house after acquiring him. Though having Hendrickson and Parsons would be an insane dream come true, the Packers aren't going to pay two edge rushers each over $30M per year the next three years. We have to go smaller.
Given that the Packers have some younger edge rushers they'd like to develop into contributors in 2026 and beyond, it seems very unlikely they'd go after any free agents at the position, signing for more than a year or two. It's most likely we will see a 1-year deal with a veteran that can still provide some production in an option 2 or option 3 role.
Players that fit:
Khalil Mack - Age 35 - Est. 1 year, $18M
Joey Bosa - Age 31 - Est. 1 year, $11.5M
Jadeveon Clowney - Age 33 - Est. 1 year, $12M
Cam Jordan - Age 37 - Est. 1 year, $8M
Von Miller - Age 36 - Est. 1 year, $6M
Khalil Mack tops the list at 35 years old as he is still a force off the edge, grabbing 5.5 sacks in 2025 and 28 pressures despite only playing in 12 games. His $18M projected price tag may be steep for the Packers, but he would be a great option for 2026. Joey Bosa had a productive 2025 with 5 sacks and 45 pressures, but injuries limited his production late. Though he can still be productive, I have my doubts the Packers would even kick the tires given his injury issues compared to his price tag. Jadeveon Clowney had nine sacks and 40 pressures, Cam Jordan had 10.5 sacks and 38 pressures, and Von Miller with 9 sacks and 36 pressures.
Despite these players being in the twilight of their careers, they may each be worth a look to even just bolster the edge rotation for this upcoming season. Of these five, the Packers would be more likely to go after Mack, Clowney, or even Miller. Mack and Clowney can still be effective, and even one season with Micah Parsons could be a phenomenal pairing. Von Miller started slow in 2025 and seemed as though he could be heading off to retirement. But a surge late in the season boosted him back up a bit as a good one-year option if he decides to return for 2026. Miller is undoubtedly the cheapest of the three, but will the Packers want to risk being Miller's "fizzle out" year and have him become more mentor than contributor? Maybe not.
There is a chance the Packers have no desire to trade or release Rashan Gary. If this happens, a restructure to his deal seems like the best option. In this event, another veteran presence could still be valuable, but we may see contracts more on the bargain bin level. The Packers believe their Super Bowl window is slim at the moment, but wide open. If so, then they need to show that with their roster building this offseason.
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Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to CheeseheadTV as well as PackersTalk. Follow him on Twitter @gmeinholz and Bluesky @gmeinholz.bsky.social for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings.
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Comments (34)
EricTorkelson
February 25, 2026 at 10:08 am
Forget the Edge GregM , what good is it to have a cluster of edge rusher while the middle of the defense DLs are getting blown off the ball ... they need DL that is there priority that is where they have to spend money/draft capitol .
greengold
February 26, 2026 at 09:27 am
Agree 1 Bazillion% for 1-Tech needs to be added to this Packers team. However, I do believe the Packers would also benefit from adding a veteran EDGE rusher to help guide our younger DL players along with Parsons.
Expected WAY WAY WAY more from Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden after their draftings. Adding a veteran 3T might be beneficial as well, if price allows.
splitpea1
February 25, 2026 at 10:08 am
No more impatience, please. We drafted edge rushers and there's no use continuing to use them sporadically or letting them ride the pine while we cough up more money for a veteran. Otherwise you'll never know what you have and will always be chasing for the next instant gratification solution. This supposed "hopeful championship season" depends on us hitting a grand slam in the draft, the coaching turnover being a smashing success, avoiding the injury bug, returning injured players returning stronger than ever, learning to execute in the clutch in the final moments of the game, etc., etc. So I would ignore any slim windows or whatever and continue to add the necessary building blocks to the team and let the chips fall where they may.
BuckyBadger
February 25, 2026 at 10:13 am
If it is between these guys and Gary I would try to work something out with Gary. The veterans listed here have one foot in retirement and could be planning their off season before it gets there or what they have left in the tank can run empty midseason. Gary will be motivated to prove his doubters wrong and for his next contract.
GreenandBold
February 25, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Get rid of Gary and use that money in part to find a run stopping IDL .
BuckyBadger
February 25, 2026 at 07:47 pm
If you get rid of Gary than you have to replace him and that will cut into anything they save by cutting him. A new contract that can be incentive laden will be better.
Coldworld
February 25, 2026 at 10:22 am
I could see a lower level younger player with some juice being added at a reasonable cost, but not an aging vet or a high priced signing. A player who can get six sacks or so in rotation would be a great addition and one that wouldn’t keep youth off the field. We had no one who did that. Wyatt had our 3rd most sacks behind Parsons and Gary. Personally I’d prioritize bringing Cox back first and seeing if he can stay healthy and do that.
Guam
February 25, 2026 at 10:30 am
Adding a vet edge rusher at the prices listed means the Packers wouldn't be able to do much else in free agency - leaving large holes still to fill at IDL, OL and CB. And a veteran edge just reduces the playing and development time for Sorrell, Cox and Oliver. Hard no for me on an expensive veteran edge rusher. Much rather see those cap resources devoted to plugging one of the holes at IDL, OL or CB.
dobber
February 25, 2026 at 10:51 am
Agreed: if Al's assertion that void years aren't an option, you lose the ability to spread out hits over multiple years and diminish the hit within the window on these aging, big name guys. I like the idea of an AJ Epenesa (or the like) who was overshadowed last year in Buffalo and is entering his prime for 3-4 years with an AAV around $7M where you can keep the hit in '26 under about $4M (if Sportrac is about right).
golfpacker61
February 27, 2026 at 06:49 am
" I like the idea of an AJ Epenesa (or the like) who was overshadowed last year in Buffalo and is entering his prime for 3-4 years with an AAV around $7M where you can keep the hit in '26 under about $4M (if Sportrac is about right)."
Thumbs up on Epenesa Dobber. He hasn't had any major injuries either. I think he could thrive across from Gary as he has averaged around 6-7 sack when getting to play a good amount of snaps in Buffalo, even though having the "protection" of a Parsons eating double teams.
Cox has shown he can be a player when GB has given him the chance. He and all the Packers need a bounce back healthy season.
stockholder
February 25, 2026 at 12:11 pm
This Defense cannot afford to lose;
Engabre, Gary, and Walker.
And wait for Parsons to come back.
Gute will re-work Gary's contract.
And your examples are too used up.
(Therefore it's just why he would do it.)
Sorrell, Cox and Oliver work.
If replacement gives you time.
But not if Van Ess can't make the jump.
I Would Draft another Edge player.
Competition makes Gary expendable.
And it's insurance against van Ess and
other injuries and fatigue.
Regardless the DL will either get you to
the super-bowl, or it won't.
Until Gute realizes that.
No DC will be in GB. for long.
Cheezehead72
February 25, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Greg you say the Packers will be without Parsons week 1. I hope you mean week 1plus some. Last I heard Parsons thinks he will miss the first three weeks. My money is on at least half the season.
Cheezehead72
February 25, 2026 at 12:44 pm
I say we sign Enagbare and look for a good three down DT. Now if Gute really wants to spend cap space we do not have again I recommend a signing on the other side of the ball like Linderbaum.
stockholder
February 25, 2026 at 01:27 pm
Linderbaum.- Is good. But comps = No
Gute didn't sign Linsley. Or Myers.
So keep Rhyan. And draft it.
Enagbare isn't a difference maker.
There isn't any good 3 down tackle per Fa.
Expecting the packers in the super-bowl?
The Los Vegas odds are correct.
Don't be like Gute and waste money.
Zion Young DE- If gone or
Caleb Banks- DT- If Gone
The smart play is a OL.
Save the gambles for later.
Bowl meets - see a CB?
Vinny Anthony, WR
Nadame Tucker WMU edge
Diego Pavia QB
Will Kacmarek TE
Gennings Dunker OT
golfpacker61
February 27, 2026 at 06:54 am
Enagbare just doesn't produce anything when he plays. He is not worth $2 million let alone $6-7 million. I would look more at A J Epenesa for less money. Clowney also had a very productive year and is projected to get $5-8 million. I sure hate to spend that much for a 1 year rental. We need too many other things, and it keeps the backups off the field. At worst GB needs to see if the backups are worth spending the time and money on.
Since'75
February 25, 2026 at 02:32 pm
Silly season.....bring on the mock drafts
MitchAnthony
February 26, 2026 at 10:28 am
Maybe the way the season came to an end,...I dunno. I have never been this disinterested in an off season for the Green Bay Packers. I admitted the same to some friends who follow football closely and they said, "Yup, me too."
No cares whatsoever regarding the Underwear Olympics, no concerns over free agency and certainly no blips on the radar screen regarding mock drafts or even what the outcome of the actual draft may bring. Maybe when it happens I'll hope to get a little jazzed about it.
Maybe...
Since'75
February 26, 2026 at 02:49 pm
Yea Mitch,
Sometimes it's hard to get interested coming off 5 losses in a row.
For me it's the same every off season. I'm interested in free agency.
Like who is going where, are the Packers getting anyone of interest...
Trading period
Also, the NFL league new year (March 11th), and all it involves, teams coming into salary cap compliance.
Who do they cut, who do they restructurer.
Of course, 3 days of the 'actual' draft.
Lets see who we got, and i usually delve into their scouting reports.
What i call....the real things.
************
The rest...is just silly season.
The team 'should' draft.....
The team should trade up for...
The team should sign.....
Mock drafts......(sad)......lol.
Who is the combine MVP.
Blah blah blah
Lots of articles with all those scenario's.
Fun for some, but i prefer tangible reality, over fiction
HarryHodag
February 25, 2026 at 03:52 pm
Silly idea. There are needs elsewhere far more pressing. The new reality for the Packers is going cheap. They have a very top heavy payroll. Gute will look to fill holes with lower level free agents or draft picks. All the big name edge rushers all come with big name money.
Don't forget they aren't under the cap...yet.
nagawicka
February 25, 2026 at 07:01 pm
No way! Who are these old men? We DO need to fortify DT and nose tackle big time, Gilbert Brown style, esp w/Wyatt returning from injury. Can't win without dominating league-wide at the point of attack-- okay or adequate or 'starting player' isn't good enough to contend for real.
So I propose trading 2 (TWO) 1st-round draft picks to the Dallas Cowboys for DT Kenny Clark, a proven veteran. I know what you're thinking. Jerry Jones. Sweeten the pot by tossing in Rashan Gary, Mr. Jones bites, everybody's happy. Recap: Kenny Clark IN; Rashan Gary & 2 1st Rd draft picks OUT.
EricTorkelson
February 25, 2026 at 09:28 pm
Nag ... two first round picks 2028, 2029 plus R Gary for Kenny Clark ( ex Kenny Clark ) ................... I'm confused
nagawicka
February 26, 2026 at 07:00 am
Nag? You read right.
You can swap Daisy the Dairy Cow for 6 Magic Beans all day & all night, and trading 2 #1 picks to Jerry Jones will still never be okay. You don't win in the NFL without dominant DTs, you literally cannot 'get by' with starter-level players at the position; to survive & thrive you have to field DTs that *clearly* dominate &/or outplay the #2 unit of the other 31 teams--the one that makes it to the Super Bowl.
The Packers were never gonna 'get by' at DT or on defense without Kenny Clark-- &/or a complementary NT of Slaton's (if not Gravedigger's) calibre. Shopping for 36yo used cars at Defensive End just avoids the issue. It isn't hindsight to note Gute's inability to grab one of the top DTs in 2025's generationally-strong draft class wasted the year, and damaged the trajectory of the franchise generally. How long will Matthew Golden's not-huge body hold up? In contrast the fortification of a DT installed and battle-tested over the past year would've meant not starting from scratch this year with less-rated wrecking balls.
you can see it on the field esp in the last few years it's been
PhantomII
February 25, 2026 at 08:46 pm
If we had more $ I say yes....Since we are trying to minimize the J. Love opportunity of a Super bowl run time frame by not even filling out a functioning OL and Dl..CB's...I say sign Vet stud DL..another cheaper vet DL...sign #55, chuck Gary, Jenkins....Pick up Best Vet Center available. Sign Rhyan if we can...rework contracts as needed. Let the pass rush start in the middle for a change and when Parsons gets back #55 or Cox will outplay Gary's 40-50% he was on the field trotting around. ...Maybe even #90 finally gets in the groove. both of these will again make the CB's better..draft OL / DL / CB / ILB...Vet TE if we can...
Snap the ball
February 26, 2026 at 12:35 am
Remember the 49ers playoff game after we beat the cowboys slinging the ball playing fast melton and Kraft scoring TD and not let them in the red zone other than twice I th8 k the whole game.
All we needed is one fg to kick off and GET ONE FREAKIN STOP THEN GO PLAY DETROIT AND WIN AND GO TOMTHE SUPER BOWL AND WIN.
KINDA LIKE Seattle did this year. Played fast not afraid had fun
What have we done last two years. LOST 5 IN AND ROW AND 3 IN A ROW. PLAY TO TIGHT. THEN. AND THEN THE BEARS LOSSES
PLAYED IT SAFE ON THE LAST ONE AND MORE CRAP ON SPECIAL TEAM
LETS FACE IT WE MAY HAVE CERTAIN GOOD STATS FOR SPECIAL TEAMS. BUT WHEN IT MATTERS. WE SUCK.AT IT
SO ANOTHER PASS RUSHER. WHAT WILL THAT DO. IS SPECIAL TEAMS COST US 3. I REPEAT 3 SUPER BOWL CHANCES IN THE LAST 5 years.
Pretty soon the Packers pro will be selling A 500 RECORD of stiff and not many people buying stuff
DON THE MAJIC MAN DAYS WILL BE BACK 9-7 this year when you started OUT 2-0. Went 7 and 9 IN THE LAst 15 games .
Oh yes the 5-3 at home. And the hurry up let’s get home for Jordan b day vs Carolina.
As Brittany Spears says. Ops I did it again.
Lost 5 in a Row to end the season. Wow
Talking Super Bowl. Like what’s his name said playoffs I just hope we can win a game..
That tie was Hugh. If not Vikings beat us and they go to playoffs with 3 different QBs
Ouch
I hope the new coaches call bs on MLF. Stuff
Snap the ball
February 26, 2026 at 12:39 am
Find a real center Can we do that. Someone with a crew cut and square jaw ….or Move Tom to Center. He would be a hall of famer in that spot
Snap the ball
February 26, 2026 at 12:41 am
MLF RECORD IN DECEMBER SUCKS LAST COUPLE OF YEARS…
needs to change or someone on the staff will be taking over
Snap the ball
February 26, 2026 at 12:45 am
I don’t see Parsons back till nov 1st
By then have played 4 out of 6 division games and won 1 of them ….
Kraft will be back but needs to be smart about it. Moved the ball without him so needs to be smart so he can play another 6 years.
Snap the ball
February 26, 2026 at 12:48 am
Most teams shut us down like Smokey the Bear
Drown stir drown feel
They drown out the blocks stir it up a bit. Drown it out again and feel to see what MLF. Body language is
WD
February 26, 2026 at 05:57 am
Gary has indicated he wants to stay with the Packers to win a Superbowl. He stated he would play for less money.
So, the most logical thing to do is restructure his contract to save money. He would command a big contract with another team. Naturally his performance last season was weaker with injuries to Parsons and our best interior lineman,. Gary will fit in nicely in the rotation along with Van Ness and Parsons.
. Restructure Gary's contract and keep him in Green Bay! .It is bad enough you are talking about getting rid of Quay Walker. Huge mistake.
Strat
February 26, 2026 at 02:17 pm
I wouldn't take any of those guys and I sure wouldn't give Mack 18 mil for one year. Any player can get injured, but Bosa is as close to a lock as it gets. They've got Gary that disappeared for more than half the season and another guy in Van Ness that supposedly "flashed" at some point last year (I must've missed that play.) Two first round picks delivering those kind of results, two big swings and misses. Tough to overcome, but that list won't help.
golfpacker61
February 27, 2026 at 07:00 am
Well I guess the trade speculation was right about Titans NT, D'Vondre Sweat. I just saw the Jets traded an Edge rusher for him. Damn I really thought this could be the bargain signing to solve the run-stuffer issue we have. I hope GB at least inquired to see what it would take. That's a good opportunity missed to get a long term, younger NT for cheap. Well option #2, spend limited resources on a veteran NT.
dobber
February 27, 2026 at 07:35 am
Not really a bargain at all. The Jets traded a former 1st round pick at a marquee position who has been to a pro bowl for Sweat. That's a pretty steep price.
golfpacker61
March 02, 2026 at 06:46 am
I understand Dobber, it wasn't cheap, but it was a way to acquire what we really needed, a run stuffer. That price was higher than anyone had estimated, but the Jets saw an opportunity to get a solid, young NT, and not have to overpay an edge rusher. Maybe Van Ness would have got it done. Who knows if we were even in on Sweat. Maybe the Jets overpaid, but they at least made a positive decision and went for it.
gsd3
February 27, 2026 at 11:52 am
I'll just say this
Veteran does not mean good.
Young does not mean bad.
Jogging in pursuit does not mean giving 100%.