The Baltimore Ravens are set to make a significant addition to their defense by signing four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million contract. Although the deal has not been officially finalized, as contracts cannot be signed until the start of the new NFL league year, which begins at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, the agreement marks a major move for the Ravens as they look to bolster their pass rush ahead of the upcoming season.
This signing comes shortly after the Ravens abruptly backed out of a blockbuster trade to acquire star edge rusher Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders. The trade, which would have sent two first-round draft picks from Baltimore to Las Vegas, fell through late Tuesday due to reported concerns over Crosby’s knee injury. As a result, Baltimore now retains those valuable draft selections and has shifted its focus to securing Hendrickson, who was widely regarded as the best available pass rusher on the free-agent market.
Trey Hendrickson’s recent performances make him an attractive pickup for the Ravens. In the 2024 season, while playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, he earned All-Pro honors by leading the NFL with an impressive 17.5 sacks. Although injuries limited him to just seven games last season, during which he recorded four sacks, Hendrickson’s overall career numbers and consistent production underscore his value. The 31-year-old has amassed 81 sacks over nine NFL seasons, spanning his time with the New Orleans Saints and the Bengals. He has reached double-digit sacks in four different seasons, including an extraordinary back-to-back run of 17.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024.
The collapse of the Crosby trade was confirmed by the Raiders on Tuesday evening when they issued a brief statement saying Baltimore had withdrawn from the deal, adding, “We will have no further comment at this time.” The primary reason cited for Baltimore’s decision was Crosby’s failure to pass the physical required to finalize the trade. Crosby had undergone surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and was expected to pass the physical, but concerns about his knee health ultimately led to the deal’s demise.
Despite the setback, Crosby remains optimistic about his recovery. In a recent interview on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” the 28-year-old edge rusher said he was “ahead of schedule” in his rehabilitation. One of his agents, CJ LaBoy, also posted on social media that Crosby is recovering well under the care of renowned orthopedist Dr. Neal ElAttrache. LaBoy emphasized that Crosby is on track to return during the offseason program and is expected to resume his role as a dominant pass rusher once healthy.
The Ravens’ pursuit of Crosby was part of a broader strategy to strengthen their defense and make a strong Super Bowl run while their quarterback, Lamar Jackson, is still in his prime. Jackson, a three-time All-Pro, has been the centerpiece of Baltimore’s offense, and the team’s front office saw acquiring Crosby as a key piece to complement him on the defensive side. The Raiders, meanwhile, viewed the trade as an opportunity to accelerate their rebuilding process by acquiring Baltimore’s first-round picks.
Crosby’s performance last season was impressive, despite his injury. He recorded 10 sacks and a career-high 28 tackles for loss in seven seasons, reaching double-digit sacks in four of those years. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses made him a coveted player around the league.
Baltimore’s defense struggled to generate pressure last season, finishing tied for 28th in the league with only 30 sacks. The addition of a player like Crosby would have addressed a clear weakness. With the deal now off, the Ravens are hoping Hendrickson can fill that role and boost their pass rush.
Meanwhile, the Raiders, who hold the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft, are expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as they continue their rebuild. The team has been active in free agency, agreeing to multiple new deals and reportedly negotiating the trade of quarterback Geno Smith to the New York Jets.
One of the Raiders’ biggest acquisitions so far is three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, who is leaving Baltimore to join Las Vegas on a three-year, $81 million contract with $60 million guaranteed. This move, combined with their large salary cap space—nearly $112 million—gives the Raiders flexibility to pursue additional players to improve their roster.