The Ravens have swiftly pivoted from Maxx Crosby to Trey Hendrickson.
Baltimore is signing the former Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher to a four-year, $112 million contract, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday morning, per sources. Hendrickson's deal is worth up to $120 million and includes $60 million fully guaranteed, with incentives in the first two years that can take the guaranteed money up to $64 million, Rapoport added.
It's a stunning turn of events, just over 13 hours after the Las Vegas Raiders said Baltimore "backed out" of a deal to trade two first-round picks for Crosby, a decision made due to medical concerns.
The signing won't quell the criticism following the reneged trade, but it's a good maneuver for a Baltimore team that desperately needed pass rush help.
Since 2023, Hendrickson has generated 39.0 sacks, third-most in the NFL. He led the league with 35 sacks over 2023-24 and became one of five players in NFL history with 17-plus sacks in consecutive campaigns.
The pass rusher brings the ability to win one-on-ones to Baltimore, something the Ravens lacked a year ago. Jesse Minter's defense needed juice on the edge, someone who can disrupt quarterbacks without sending extra rushers, so he can play his exotic coverages. Baltimore thought they had that in Crosby. Now they'll get it from Hendrickson.
The four-time Pro Bowler has been searching for a long-term deal for years. Hendrickson, 31, went through an elongated contract kerfuffle with the Bengals, who never seemed ready to pay the veteran big multiyear money. Then, he was limited to seven games in 2025 due to a core muscle injury.
Given the injury concerns the Ravens had in the Crosby deal, it's interesting they're willing to pay an older Hendrickson, who is also coming off surgery. However, it didn't cost Baltimore two first-round picks.
Hendrickson stays in the AFC North and will get to chase former teammate Joe Burrow twice in 2026.
The $28 million-per-year deal slots Hendrickson slightly below the New York Giants' Brian Burns among edge rushers, placing him 11th at the position.
