NFL personnel fuels the Bengals with more validation for letting Trey Hendrickson leave in free agency
The Cincinnati Bengals let defensive end Trey Hendrickson sign a four-year, $112 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency. The rest of the NFL appears to agree with his former team’s decision.
The Cincinnati Bengals let defensive end Trey Hendrickson sign a four-year, $112 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency. The rest of the NFL appears to agree with his former team’s decision.
ESPN’s annual survey of over 70 executives, coaches, and scouts left Hendrickson off their top-10 edge rusher rankings entirely. He’s an honorable mention alongside Jared Verse of the Cleveland Browns, and Josh Hines-Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Hendrickson was ranked No. 6 in last year’s survey. This year, there’s more skepticism surrounding the four-time Pro Bowler.
He’s been a great performer but doesn’t have the dominant traits as some of the others. So when age and injuries pile up, it’s harder for him to stay toward the top.
NFL personnel evaluator
Via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler
Bengals can feel more vindicated for letting Trey Hendrickson leave for their rival
Age and injuries were also the main reasons Cincinnati was uncommitted to keeping Hendrickson long-term beyond the 2025 season.
Hendrickson dealt with a knee injury last year that kept him out for over half of the season, and he opted for season-ending surgery when there were just a few weeks left in the regular season. The Bengals were not in playoff contention at that point, making the decision to shut him down a reasonable one for both sides.
Hendrickson also turned 31 late last year. He is at a point in his career where you could argue his best years are behind him.
Six of the top-10 EDGEs are under 30, but Hendrickson is not alone above that threshold. Myles Garrett, ranked No. 1, Danielle Hunter at No. 6, T.J. Watt at No. 7, and Brian Burns at No. 9 are all at least 30 years old.
Hendrickson’s age alone is not the only thing keeping him off the list. The combination of his age and last season’s injury, however, paints the Ravens as the risk-takers rather than the Bengals letting him go.
Cincinnati chose quantity over retaining Hendrickson
The Bengals compensated for the loss of Hendrickson by signing 27-year-old DE Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million free agent deal. The former Seattle Seahawks pass rusher does not have the productive history Hendrickson accumulated over the course of his career, but he is notably younger and there is promise that his tape and his ability to generate pressures can translate into more meaningful production.
Cincinnati also traded for 28-year old nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and signed him to a one-year, $28 million extension. Jonathan Allen, now 31, is now under contract for two years, $25 million, but the club can get out of the contract easily after this season if needed.
In total, the Bengals are spending less than it would have taken to sign Hendrickson long-term, and two of three are younger than him. With Myles Murphy, Shemar Stewart, and second-round pick Cashius Howell all 24 years old or younger, the idea of a fresher group of pass-rushers leads to a better overall unit than one led by their former All-Pro.
Both sides are betting on besting the other
The Ravens are putting their eggs in the basket of Hendrickson having a few more great years in the tank. When he’s healthy, he’s certainly still a force to be reckoned with. NFL personnel is just wary of his recent injury and how it will impact the remainder of his career.
Cincinnati is taking a calculated risk, but a risk all the same, by moving on from its best defensive player in recent years. The franchise can at least feel a bit more validated about the decision as the rest of the league does not view Hendrickson as the player he once was.