Defensive end Trey Hendrickson agreed to a four-year, $112 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens less than 24 hours after their trade for Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby collapsed due to a failed physical. Hendrickson revealed he anticipated rushing alongside Crosby on the Ravens' defensive line. He now joins a star-studded Baltimore defense featuring Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry on offense.
Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta had envisioned a formidable 2026 defense with both Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson as bookends. The plan unraveled when Crosby's physical failed, prompting the Ravens to nix the deal with the Raiders. Hendrickson quickly signed with Baltimore, securing his long-awaited extension after five prolific years with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he recorded 61 sacks and contributed to their 2021 AFC title run and 2022 championship game appearance. Contract issues hampered Cincinnati's defense in subsequent seasons, leading to playoff misses. Hendrickson reunites with cornerback Chidobe Awuzie from those Bengals teams. Speaking on Terron Armstead's The Set podcast, Hendrickson said, 'I was looking forward to rushing with him. Like what an incredible opportunity that would have been to have a bookends like that terrorizing quarterbacks, getting running backs to the ground. That's what got me excited.' Though the Crosby pairing won't materialize, Hendrickson is enthusiastic about Baltimore's roster, including two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson—known as No. 8—and future Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry. The defense already boasts linebacker Roquan Smith, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, safety Kyle Hamilton, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Reflecting on his Bengals tenure, Hendrickson added, 'When I look back, maybe I'll be more appreciative of how special that team was. But right now I'm on the hunt for one thing and that's to win it all. ... When you're talking about No. 8 throwing the ball around, like, you know it's a quarterback-driven league. ... We got one of them.' The Ravens aim to rebound from their 8-9 season.
