Trey Hendrickson joined the Baltimore Ravens on a four-year, $112 million deal at the start of the 2026 NFL free agency. The star defensive end joined from division rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, following a five-year tenure at Paycor Stadium.
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Hendrickson will face his old team twice a year. Speaking on the opportunity of going against star quarterback Joe Burrow, Hendrickson said it wouldn’t change his approach. He gave his flowers to Burrow, but added that winning is the ultimate goal.
“Joe is one of the best in the National Football League,” Hendrickson said, via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. “I like to affect games. It’s continuing to play the same brand of football. IT’s the standard that I’ve carried since Day 1. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. The wins are important.”
Asked about facing Joe Burrow, "Joe is one of the best in the National Football League. I like to affect games. It's continuing to play the same brand of football. IT's the standard that I've carried since Day 1. It doesn't matter who we're playing. The wins are important."
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 13, 2026
Five years after being the best player on the Bengals’ defense, Hendrickson will try to beat their quarterback now. On the other hand, he will try to give the ball back to Lamar Jackson, another top talent in the league.
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Trey Hendrickson on playing with Lamar Jackson
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) watches a replay as the Detroit Lions celebrate a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. The Bengals continued a losing streak, falling 37-24 to the Lions.
During his introductory press conference, Hendrickson discussed the opportunity to play with Lamar Jackson. Again, he focused on winning games before anything else.
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“It excites me to try to get the ball back to our offense, put it in his hands, and we will win games,” he said, per Sarah Ellison of “The Vault.”
Trey Hendrickson on playing the opportunity to play with Lamar Jackson:
"It excites me to try to get the ball back to our offense, put it in his hands, and we will win games." pic.twitter.com/Gjemg3d9TE
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) March 13, 2026
The Ravens added a strong player to their defense. If Hendrickson’s body respects him, the Ravens will likely have a strong season on both ends of the ball.
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