General Manager Brian Gutekunst made some moves this offseason to improve the Green Bay Packers pass rush. He drafted edge rushers Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver in the draft, along with interior defensive lineman Warren Brinson. Moreover, the team hired DeMarcus Covington as the new defensive line coach, with the hope that he can help Green Bay's pass rush take a big step forward in 2025.
Still, if Super Bowl LIX taught anything, it is that you can never have too many pass rushers. While the Packers should believe in internal growth from their current players, they also need to stay alert for potential transition moves that could happen between now and the start of the regular season. If the right opportunity arises, Guteukunst should not hesitate to add to his pass rush.
The free agent talent pool is thin right now, and while the release of Jaire Alexander makes it seem like cornerback is Green Bay’s most pressing need, one NFL reporter argued that the Packers should not overlook the importance of bolstering their pass rush.
Former Chicago Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker (95) gestures to the crowd after the game against the Carolina Panthers.
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"While Jaire Alexander’s release probably makes it so cornerback is top of mind, that hasn’t been the biggest complaint of Packers fans this offseason," Fox Sports' Carmen Vitali wrote.
"So why can’t Green Bay get pressure up front? Xavier McKinney masked a lot of the pressure issues last season with his takeaways, but imagine if there was a real-deal pass rush to go along with his ball-hawking skills?"
Vitali went on to name DeMarcus Walker as a potential acquisition for the Packers. Walker spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Bears and is currently a free agent. He began his NFL career with the Denver Broncos, where he played for four seasons, followed by stints with the Houston Texans in 2021 and the Tennessee Titans in 2022. Over his career, Walker has recorded 191 total tackles, 26.5 sacks, and 188 pressures.
Throughout the offseason, there was speculation about whether Green Bay could pull off a trade for superstar edge rushers like Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett. However, both players signed extensions with their respective teams, and nothing concrete ever materialized. While DeMarcus Walker would be a solid addition to the rotation, he is far from the established superstar many fans believe the Packers still need upfront.
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