Trey Hendrickson signs a 4-year contract with the Ravens after trade failure.

Veteran defensive end Trey Hendrickson has just sealed an impressive four-year, $112 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens, according to reports from renowned ESPN journalist Adam Schefter. This move comes at a tumultuous time, after the Ravens decided not to proceed with a trade for Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby due to medical issues.

The timing of Hendrickson’s contract raises intriguing questions throughout the league. Just hours after backing out of the trade for Crosby, the Ravens quickly shifted their focus, opting to invest in Hendrickson. This decision has been met with skepticism by many, especially considering that Crosby, who was recovering from surgery, received support from the surgeon himself, who stated that he is “doing very well” in rehabilitation.

The possible impression that the Ravens panicked after losing Crosby is notable. The speed with which the deal with Hendrickson was finalized suggests that the team may have regretted giving up two first-round picks to acquire Crosby, considering that Hendrickson could be a more viable option. Proving this theory, however, may be a challenge.

With rumors that Hendrickson could be franchised before the March 3 deadline, he became one of the most sought-after stars in the free agent market. After days of speculation, he finally secured the long-term contract he had been hoping for. In the months leading up to the 2025 season, Hendrickson was in contract negotiations with the Cincinnati Bengals, after the team realized that he would not play in the final season of his contract, which would have earned him $16 million. He missed training and preseason workouts while the parties sought an agreement.

In the 2024 season, Hendrickson stood out by leading the league with 17.5 sacks, earning first-team All-Pro honors and finishing second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. Between 2023 and 2024, he accumulated 35 sacks, surpassing linebacker T.J. Watt, who had 30.5 during the same period. In August 2025, both parties reached a consensus that increased his salary to nearly $30 million for the season.

At 31 years old, Hendrickson completed the 2025 campaign with 16 tackles and four sacks in seven games, but ended the season on the inactive list after undergoing abdominal muscle surgery. He was injured in the sixth week, returned two weeks later, but was forced to halt his participation for the remainder of the season.

Hendrickson, who spent the last five seasons with the Bengals and was the team’s sack leader in four of those, now brings his valuable experience to the Ravens, who had a disappointing performance in 2025, finishing with a record of 8-9 and missing the chance to qualify for the playoffs. With the team ranking 30th in the NFL in sacks, with only 30, Hendrickson’s arrival is anticipated to be a game-changer for Baltimore’s defense.