Packers News: Treyvon Hester signing strengthens defensive line depth

The Green Bay Packers have finally added some defensive line help.

Treyvon Hester was the man who tipped Cody Parkey’s kick on the “double doink” which ended the Chicago Bears’ playoff hopes two years ago.

He will now be playing against the Bears two times a year as the Green Bay Packers have announced they have signed the veteran defensive tackle.

Adding defensive line depth was crucial for the Packers after not strengthening the position at all in the 2020 NFL Draft, which came as a surprise. They’ve now given Kenny Clark some help by signing Hester.

Hester was selected in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, where he spent one season. He has since played with the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins. In three seasons, Hester has played 41 games in the regular season, making 40 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Hester not only provides some additional depth to the defensive line but he can also contribute on special teams as Bears fans learned a couple of years ago. According to Pro Football Reference, in 2018, Hester played on 22 percent of the Eagles’ special teams snaps.

This comes after an unusual draft for the Packers, and one in which they didn’t address two of their biggest needs at defensive tackle and wide receiver. It became all the more important that general manager Brian Gutekunst would continue to search for talent at areas of need following the draft, which he has by making this signing.

Will Gutekunst add another defensive lineman this summer? Free-agent options include former Packer Mike Daniels and Damon Harrison. Gutekunst should also consider his options at wide receiver, whether via a free-agent addition or a trade.

After not drafting a defensive tackle last week, the Packers have added some depth by signing Hester.