Signing DE Trey Hendrickson is a Big Mistake for the Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens entered the offseason focused on fixing their pass rush, which underperformed in 2025. That led them to offer the Las Vegas Raiders first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 for defensive end Maxx Crosby. However, Crosby unexpectedly failed his physical in Baltimore. Shortly after voiding the trade, the Ravens announced the signing of Hendrickson. The timing made the decision appear reactive, and now, for the next four seasons, Hendrickson and Crosby will be a constant comparison for the Ravens fan base.

4. Poor Fit For A Dynamic Role

The New Orleans Saints drafted Hendrickson in 2017 as a defensive end, and while playing for the Saints, Hendrickson produced 20.0 quarterback sacks in four seasons. In 2021, Hendrickson signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, and during that transition, the Bengals changed the expectations for the defensive end. The Bengals intended to implement a Wide-9 defensive scheme, and Hendrickson would simply need to rush the passer and record quarterback sacks. In a simplified scheme, Hendrickson thrived, recording 57.0 quarterback sacks during his first five seasons with the Bengals. However, Ravens head coach Jesse Minter will implement an odd-front defense, which will require Hendrickson to be a more balanced player with expectations to drop into coverage when not rushing the passer. There is no indication that Hendrickson can play well in this type of scheme.

3. Salary-Cap Opportunity Cost

The $28 million that the Ravens have committed to Hendrickson is the largest amount that Baltimore has paid a free agent in the relatively short history of the franchise. Hendrickson’s $28 million cap hit, coupled with quarterback Lamar Jackson’s $74 million cap hit, has significantly reduced the Ravens flexibility. A result of that lack of flexibility was the Ravens’ inability to re-sign center Tyler Linderbaum, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. If Hendrickson has four career-high sack seasons with Baltimore, this gamble could appear to pay off, but it is likely that the Ravens have overpaid for a defensive end on the back end of his NFL career.

2. Recent Injury History

Playing defensive line in the NFL comes with a high risk of injury, and players must stay physically prepared to avoid performance decline. Hendrickson’s long period without injury ended abruptly in the Bengals’ 2025 season, when he missed 10 games. This absence may be a product missing training camp due to a contract dispute, or it could mark the start of his physical decline, raising concerns about the risks of relying on players who ignore key preparation periods. This exemplifies the risk teams take with big commitments, similar to the Cleveland Browns’ decision to invest in Deshaun Watson despite his own recent injury and personal challenges.

1. The Age-30 Decline Curve

Historically, in the NFL, edge rushers experience a steep decline in productivity once they have passed the 30-year-old age range. Hendrickson is 31 years old and will be 34 by the end of this contract with the Ravens. Therefore, it is fair to expect that Hendrickson will experience a decline in explosion and recovery speed. Playing $60 million in guaranteed money to a player that may or may not be able to play up to expectations is a huge financial gamble for the Ravens. Ultimately, time will determine the overall value of the Ravens’ decision to sign Hendrickson, but if he doesn’t play well for Baltimore, it could change the trajectory of a championship-level franchise.

Make sure that you check out, Re-Grading the Cincinnati Bengals 2025 Draft