During five seasons in Cincinnati, Hendrickson totaled 61 sacks and earned four Pro Bowl selections, establishing himself as one of the league’s elite pass rushers and a cornerstone of the team’s front seven. His arrival helped transform Cincinnati’s defensive identity and stability on the edge.
The departure followed a season that highlighted the challenges of a franchise tag and contract talks. Cincinnati granted Hendrickson permission to seek a trade before finalizing a revision that gave him a pay raise but did not extend his contract, and he finished the year with limited production, missing significant time due to injuries and recording only four sacks in seven games.
In announcing his move to Baltimore, Hendrickson posted a message of gratitude to the Bengals organization, coaches, teammates and fans, ending with a nod to the fanbase with a “who dey” sentiment. At his Ravens introduction, Hendrickson appeared to hint at a fresh start and a renewed role in the AFC North, signaling a new chapter in his career.
To replace Hendrickson, Cincinnati signed former Seattle pass rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million contract. The deal represents a potential-based investment, with Mafe having shown upside as a full-time starter after a rotational role in Seattle. He posted nine sacks, 52 tackles and 16 quarterback hits in 2023 and is expected to provide a productive edge presence as he ramps up with the Bengals.
Recognizing the challenge of filling Hendrickson’s production, Cincinnati is counting on Mafe to develop into a high-impact starter. The Athletic described him as a talented athlete with the potential to approach Hendrickson’s level of impact, while noting he is still finding his full-time stride. The Bengals also stressed that the franchise opted not to franchise-tag Hendrickson, choosing to move forward with the new edge-rush plan.
