Ravens Sign Pass Rusher Trey Hendrickson to Four-Year, $112 Million Deal

Thirteen hours after the Las Vegas Raiders declared Baltimore had "backed out" of a blockbuster trade for Maxx Crosby, the Ravens had already signed his replacement.

The Ravens agreed to terms with four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Trey Hendrickson on a four-year, $112 million contract on March 11, the team announced. The deal, reported by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero and confirmed by ESPN's Adam Schefter, can reach $120 million with incentives and includes $60 million fully guaranteed. A $20 million signing bonus anchors the structure, and incentives in the first two years can push the fully guaranteed figure to $64 million. The contract averages $28 million per season.

The Crosby trade collapsed after medical concerns emerged during the Raiders pass rusher's physical. A person with knowledge of Baltimore's decision told The Associated Press that Crosby failed his physical, speaking on condition of anonymity because those results are private. Because Baltimore withdrew, the Ravens retained the two first-round picks they had agreed to send to Las Vegas as part of the deal.

Hendrickson, 31, arrives from Cincinnati, where he spent five seasons after the Bengals signed him as a free agent in 2021. Originally a third-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2017, he has accumulated 81 sacks across nine NFL seasons. He led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in both 2023 and 2024, becoming one of five players in league history to record 17-plus sacks in consecutive seasons, and earned four straight Pro Bowl selections. Since 2023, his 39.0 sacks rank third in the NFL.

The 2025 season interrupted that run. Core muscle surgery in December limited Hendrickson to seven games and four sacks, after he had been playing the prior year on a one-year, $29 million deal with the Bengals. The Ravens are betting on a full recovery, and the contract structure reflects that calculated risk: $60 million fully guaranteed with room to earn more.

Defensively, the fit addresses a specific problem. Jesse Minter's scheme relies on pressuring quarterbacks without committing extra rushers, freeing him to deploy complex coverage packages. Hendrickson, who ranks second in overall pressure rate (13.2%) since joining the Bengals in 2021 per ESPN Research, gives Minter exactly that capability.

Baltimore also agreed that same day to a two-year, $10 million contract with former New England Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins, who recorded 86 tackles and four interceptions in his most recent season.

Hendrickson's signing draws criticism in some corners, with observers noting Baltimore may appear to be operating on buyer's remorse after backing out of the Crosby deal. But the Ravens emerged from the episode with their two first-round picks intact and a pass rusher who, at 81 career sacks, needs only 19 more to reach 100.