The Cincinnati Bengals breathed a sigh of relief when the Baltimore Ravens nixed a trade for pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
A proposed trade between the rival Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders fell through because Baltimore had concerns about Crosby’s physical.
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But the Ravens shifted their focus to another top pass rusher, former Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson. A four-year, $112 million deal between the sides was finalized Wednesday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, though it won’t become official until 4 p.m.
Ravens and Trey Hendrickson reached agreement on a four-year, $112 million contract.
Hendrickson stays in the AFC North, and now will be facing Joe Burrow and the Bengals twice a season. pic.twitter.com/v0iY2pISyE
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2026
So much for the Bengals’ celebration. Though limited to seven games in 2025, Hendrickson turned in a pair of 17.5-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024. His 14-sack campaign in 2021 helped carry the Bengals to the Super Bowl.
The Baltimore defense got better Wednesday, assuming Hendrickson stays healthy. The Bengals’ much-maligned defense did not.
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A new report from Stripe Hype’s Matt Fitzgerald urged the Bengals to restructure star quarterback Joe Burrow’s contract to free up funds in hopes of keeping pace with Baltimore.
Baltimore Ravens defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (41) forces Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) to throw an incomplete pass.
Several NFL teams have restructured their quarterback contracts this offseason. That list includes the Detroit Lions with Jared Goff, the Buffalo Bills with Josh Allen, the Baltimore Ravens with Lamar Jackson and the Kansas City Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes.
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Fitzgerald estimates the Bengals could save more than $19 million in cap space by restructuring Burrow’s 10-year, $275 million contract. One year ago, Burrow indicated he would be open to such a move.
The additional cap space could help the Bengals in their pursuit of a veteran linebacker to help out the two rookies, Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr., who started the bulk of the games for a 31st-ranked defense.
Whether Cincinnati takes Burrow up on his willingness to restructure remains to be seen.
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