Ravens Land Elite Pass Rusher in Trey Hendrickson Signing

Baltimore adds four-time Pro Bowler to bolster their defense after Maxx Crosby trade fell through.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:05am

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The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to a four-year, $112 million contract with four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson, adding a top pass rusher to their defense after a trade for Maxx Crosby fell through. Hendrickson, who had back-to-back 17.5 sack seasons in 2023 and 2024, will provide a major boost to the Ravens' pass rush after they tied for the third-fewest sacks in the NFL last season.

Why it matters

The Ravens were in desperate need of an elite edge rusher to improve their pass defense, and landing Hendrickson without having to give up valuable draft capital is a major win for the team. Hendrickson's ability to get to the quarterback will be crucial in the AFC North, where the Ravens face talented offenses led by the likes of Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, and Lamar Jackson.

The details

The Ravens were initially pursuing a trade for Raiders star Maxx Crosby, but that deal fell through over a reported failed physical. Instead, they pivoted quickly to sign Hendrickson, who has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the NFL over the past few seasons. Despite missing 10 games in 2025 due to a core muscle/hip injury, Hendrickson has 47.5 sacks over the last three years, ranking third in the league during that span.

  • The Ravens agreed to terms with Trey Hendrickson on a four-year, $112 million contract on March 12, 2026.

The players

Trey Hendrickson

A four-time Pro Bowl defensive end who has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the NFL over the past few seasons, including back-to-back 17.5 sack campaigns in 2023 and 2024.

Maxx Crosby

A five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher for the Las Vegas Raiders who the Ravens were initially pursuing in a trade before the deal fell through over a reported failed physical.

Eric DeCosta

The general manager of the Baltimore Ravens who was able to pivot quickly and sign Trey Hendrickson after the Maxx Crosby trade fell through, salvaging the Ravens' offseason.

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What they’re saying

“Say what you want about how they got here, but the Ravens and general manager Eric DeCosta absolutely salvaged their offseason and vastly improved their pass rush in one fell swoop with the decision to back out of the Crosby trade and quickly pivot to agreeing to terms with Hendrickson.”

— Josh Reed (Ravens On SI)

“Trey Hendrickson may not be the top-three-or-so defensive end that Maxx Crosby is, but he isn't far off from statistical and concern-based points of view.”

— Henry Brown (Ravens On SI)

What’s next

The Ravens will look to integrate Hendrickson into their defense and continue to build around him and their other key defensive pieces as they aim to contend for a Super Bowl in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

By pivoting quickly to sign Trey Hendrickson after the Maxx Crosby trade fell through, the Ravens were able to land an elite pass rusher without having to give up valuable draft capital, a major win for their offseason and their chances of improving their defense in 2026.