Trey Hendrickson Joins Ravens After Leaving Bengals

Veteran pass rusher ready for fresh start in AFC North division rival

Mar. 14, 2026 at 12:27am

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Trey Hendrickson, a defensive end who spent the last five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, has signed a four-year, $112 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Hendrickson, who had 17.5 sacks in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, requested a trade from the Bengals and is now joining a Ravens defense that already includes standouts like Kyle Hamilton and Roquan Smith.

Why it matters

The Ravens struggled to generate consistent pass rush last season, finishing tied for the third-fewest sacks in the NFL. Signing Hendrickson, who has been one of the league's most productive edge rushers in recent years, is a major move to bolster their defense and improve their ability to close out games.

The details

Hendrickson had a close relationship with the Ravens organization, having played in the same division as Baltimore for several seasons with the Bengals. He said he's excited to "embrace this city, embrace this culture and build from the ground up" with his new team. Ravens defensive coordinator Jesse Minter highlighted Hendrickson's ability to make impact plays in the fourth quarter, noting he's second in the NFL in fourth-quarter sacks since 2021.

  • Hendrickson signed a four-year, $112 million contract with the Ravens on March 14, 2026.
  • He had 17.5 sacks in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Bengals.

The players

Trey Hendrickson

A veteran defensive end who spent the last five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, recording 17.5 sacks in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons before signing a lucrative free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

Kyle Hamilton

A standout safety who is part of the talented Ravens defense that Hendrickson is now joining.

Roquan Smith

A star linebacker who is also a key part of the Ravens' defensive unit that Hendrickson will be contributing to.

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What they’re saying

“I've seen a lot of purple at the Pro Bowls over the last four years. It's something that I'm excited to play with those guys. I got to meet them and their families at those type of events, which what a blessing to be a part of that. You get to see the behind the mask. We're all people at the end of the day. But a place like this — the standard of defense is very high.”

— Trey Hendrickson (wbal.com)

“One of the things that stood out to me — since 2021, Trey is second in the NFL in fourth-quarter sacks. When we talk about being able to have a closer mentality and finish games and dominate in the fourth quarter, Trey is the epitome of that with how he's played the last four or five years.”

— Jesse Minter, Ravens Defensive Coordinator (wbal.com)

What’s next

The Ravens will look to integrate Hendrickson into their defense as they aim to improve their pass rush and ability to close out games in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Signing Trey Hendrickson is a major move for the Ravens as they look to bolster their defense and return to the playoffs after a down year. His proven ability to make impact plays, especially in the fourth quarter, makes him an ideal fit for a team looking to solidify its pass rush and finish games strongly.