The Cincinnati Bengals allowed Trey Hendrickson to leave in free agency after five seasons with the team. He joined Cincinnati before the 2021 season and became one of the franchise’s most successful free-agent signings. But contract negotiations stalled, and injuries and reduced production marked the later part of his Bengals tenure.
Hendrickson’s departure became more painful for Cincinnati fans when he signed with the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore gave the former All-Pro a four-year, $112 million contract, including $60 million guaranteed.
The Ravens entered the 2026 season as favorites in the AFC North, despite Cincinnati’s active offseason. So far, however, the season has gone poorly for Baltimore. The team is last in the division at 4–5, and quarterback Lamar Jackson is expected to miss most of the season. Hendrickson’s performance has also drawn criticism.
On *The Ringer Fantasy Football Show*, Danny Heifetz described Hendrickson’s play as disappointing, saying he had “quietly been awful.” Heifetz added that a hand injury had affected Hendrickson’s run defense and said the edge defender had not played well.
Through seven games, Hendrickson has recorded two sacks, 10 total tackles and two tackles for loss. He played in only seven games for Cincinnati in 2025, recording four sacks. Pro Football Focus currently ranks him 53rd among edge defenders.
## Hendrickson’s Departure and Cincinnati’s Trade-Deadline Decision
One benefit of letting Hendrickson leave in free agency was the third-round compensatory pick Cincinnati is projected to receive. That pick became a factor in the Bengals’ trade-deadline plans.
Cincinnati agreed to acquire Eagles pass rusher Arnold Ebiketie, then backed out of the deal hours later. The trade would have affected the compensatory-pick formula and could have cost the Bengals the third-round selection tied to Hendrickson’s departure.
The projections factored in two players Cincinnati signed last offseason—Bryan Cook and Boye Mafe—and three who left: Hendrickson, Joseph Ossai and Noah Fant. Because Hendrickson’s large contract with Baltimore placed him in the third-round compensatory-pick range, acquiring Ebiketie would have canceled out the pick Cincinnati expects to receive for losing him.
